Kejriwal ‘detained’ in Gujarat, AAP, BJP workers clash in Delhi, UP
6 March 2014 12:34 AM GMT
Police resorted to the use of water-cannons to control protesters as workers of both parties pelted stones at each other. Several AAP and BJP workers, a police constable and three media persons were injured in the incident. It is reported that AAP MLA Manoj Kumar was injured in the incident.
BJP and AAP supporters threw stones at one another even in the presence of policemen. According to eyewitnesses, clashes began soon after AAP supporters, led by senior AAP leaders Shazia Ilmi and Ashutosh, gathered outside the BJP office on Wednesday evening after the detention of Kejriwal in Gujarat. AAP workers reportedly tore BJP hoardings and tried to break into the BJP office.
Chief electoral officer of Delhi, Vijay Dev, sought a report from Delhi Police on the incident. ‘Stringent action would be taken against those who violated model code of conduct and a notice would be issued to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for not taking prior permission for holding demonstration outside BJP office,’ he said.
AAP, meanwhile, blamed Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for the detention of Kejriwal, who was on his way to Bhuj. Ilmi claimed BJP workers inside the office provoked AAP supporters by pelting stones and throwing chairs at them. ‘Our protest was peaceful,’ she said. She said poll campaign was pre-planned and there was no need for detaining Kejriwal. Later, Kejriwal tweeted and urged his party volunteers to maintain the peace. ‘I urge all volunteers to stay calm and non-violent. You should be prepared to lay down your life but never raise hand,’ he said. ‘Do they believe in Maoism,’ asked BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad. AAP, BJP clash later spread to Lucknow.
BJP and AAP supporters threw stones at one another even in the presence of policemen. According to eyewitnesses, clashes began soon after AAP supporters, led by senior AAP leaders Shazia Ilmi and Ashutosh, gathered outside the BJP office on Wednesday evening after the detention of Kejriwal in Gujarat. AAP workers reportedly tore BJP hoardings and tried to break into the BJP office.
Chief electoral officer of Delhi, Vijay Dev, sought a report from Delhi Police on the incident. ‘Stringent action would be taken against those who violated model code of conduct and a notice would be issued to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for not taking prior permission for holding demonstration outside BJP office,’ he said.
AAP, meanwhile, blamed Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for the detention of Kejriwal, who was on his way to Bhuj. Ilmi claimed BJP workers inside the office provoked AAP supporters by pelting stones and throwing chairs at them. ‘Our protest was peaceful,’ she said. She said poll campaign was pre-planned and there was no need for detaining Kejriwal. Later, Kejriwal tweeted and urged his party volunteers to maintain the peace. ‘I urge all volunteers to stay calm and non-violent. You should be prepared to lay down your life but never raise hand,’ he said. ‘Do they believe in Maoism,’ asked BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad. AAP, BJP clash later spread to Lucknow.
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