A car of AAP’s Tughlakabad candidate Sahi Ram was set ablaze on Sunday after a scuffle between the supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP during the shoot of a TV news debate in which leaders of both the parties engaged in a heated argument.
“During the shoot, heated argument ensued between the two groups which turned into a scuffle and someone set Sahi Ram’s car on fire. We are probing the incident,” said a senior police official.
Soon after the incident, AAP volunteers reached Govindpuri police station and demanded registration of an FIR against the BJP supporters, alleging that they acted at the behest of an influential BJP leader from the area.
In a statement, the AAP alleged that those involved in the attack were supporters of BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri. “It is shocking that a mob led by the MP’s nephew attacked the AAP volunteers in broad daylight when a TV news channel was conducting a debate in the DDA park at Tuglakabad.”
On the other hand, Bidhuri accused AAP supporters of unleashing the violence and rejected allegations that his supporters were involved in the clash. “The AAP workers had set the car on fire to blame BJP. The AAP workers started the clash,” Bidhuri said, claiming that a number of BJP workers were injured in the clash.
AAP leader Ashutosh accused the police of not taking action against the culprits due to pressure from the BJP. “The violence unleashed by BJP on AAP volunteers is a clear indication that it wants to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the national capital ahead of the Assembly elections.” “Armed with sharp weapons, they attacked the AAP volunteers, who were participating in the TV programme and inflicted serious injuries on them without any provocation,” the AAP said.
The party claimed at least 10 party volunteers had to be taken to the AIIMS trauma centre for treatment. When asked about AAP’s allegation, Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said that he was not aware about the incident. “I am not aware of the facts. But what I am saying is that generally AAP people are desperate, the way they try to instigate people. I will want to ask my people of my party that violence has no place in party politics and we should not indulge in any act of desperation,” he said.