BJP-AAP clash in Delhi; Kejri's convoy attacked
BJP-AAP clash in Delhi; Kejri's convoy attacked, Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP-AAP. A group of nearly 20 AAP supporters marched towards the BJP headquarters in Lucknow following which clashes took place between the two sides.
Lucknow: After protest by the Aam Aadmi Party outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Delhi, workers of the two parties clashed at several places including the national capital, Lucknow and Gujarat.
A group of nearly 20 AAP supporters marched towards the BJP headquarters in Lucknow following which clashes took place between the two sides.
A clash between AAP-BJP members has also been reported from Gujarat where AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal was detained earlier in the day. The BJP and AAP workers faced off at Kharoi village on Bhachau where Kejriwal is scheduled in about half an hour. BJP workers are threatening to lie on the road to prevent Kejriwal from travelling.
While the BJP is maintaining that AAP workers indulged in the fight, AAP members said that there were protesting peacefully.
"AAP has the right to protest peacefully. Several of our workers have been admitted to hospital," AAP leader Ashutosh said confirming that at least 24 persons were injured in the attack in Delhi.
AAP leaders have been demanding an answer from the BJP on why party leaders including Arvind Kejriwal was detained in the state. "We want to know why Arvind Kejriwal was stopped by police in Gujarat," AAP leader Shazia Ilmi said.
Earlier in the day, AAP leaders alleged that politics was being played by the Gujarat government and thus they were prevented from holding rallies in the state.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Police denied detaining Kejriwal and his supporters and said that it was merely checking if the AAP had the permit to hold a rally.
Kejriwal’s convoy was also attacked. "The Model Code of Conduct is in force. Therefore, you need a permit to hold a rally. We did not detain him. We were merely checking if he had permit," DIG Parikshita Rathore told CNN-IBN.
Bhushan, however, questioned the police's claims. "Arvind was in Gujarat for something that could be termed as a study tour. He was there to take a look at the development in Gujarat as claimed by Modi. How does this amount to violating the model code of conduct?" he asked.
"Arvind Kejriwal a former chief minister and if an individual like him can be detained in this manner, then it speaks a lot about the law and order situation of that state," AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said.
Meanwhile, The Chief Electoral Office of Delhi has submitted its report to the Election Commission of India on the issue of over-expenditure involving former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during Assembly election campaigning in December last year.
According to the report, Kejriwal had spent over Rs 21 lakh during the campaigning while the maximum limit of expenditure in the Assembly poll is fixed at Rs 14 lakh per candidate.
