Scuffle at Signature Bridge inauguration becomes a flashpoint

New Delhi: The clash at the opening of the Signature Bridge between Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and Delhi Police personnel, snowballed into a controversy on Monday, with the ruling AAP questioning the police's role and whether they should be entrusted with the security of elected representatives of Delhi.

Tiwari, the MP from north east Delhi, had turned up at the venue, claiming that he did not get an invitation to the event despite it being organised in his area.

He was caught on camera manhandling police personnel while being escorted out. Another clip showed him seen threatening the cops, while he claimed he had identified the men concerned.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Monday demanded the arrest of the Bharatiya Janata Party MP for 'rioting' and "posing a threat" to the security of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The BJP, meanwhile, announced to stage a demonstration at the CM's residence on Tuesday.

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh hit back, arguing that the BJP "did not invite the Chief Minister for the inauguration of Metro rail lines to Noida, Bahadurgarh, or Faridabad".

"He (Mr Kejriwal) was also not invited for the Skywalk inauguration at the ITO, which was built by Delhi's Public Works Department. Now the BJP has come to stage a drama," Singh said.

The Rajya Sabha MP added that the Delhi government is exploring legal options in view of the Delhi police's "failure" to keep "BJP's hooligans" away from the venue.