Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and BJP supporters on Wednesday clashed in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat following the detention of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal in Gujarat. Kejriwal’s convoy was attacked by unidentified people near Bhuj in Gujarat. In Lucknow, AAP supporters armed with brooms clashed with cane-wielding BJP activists. Both sides accused each other of triggering the clash. The BJP called it a “Maoist act”, while AAP said they were attacked with stones even though their protest was peaceful.
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Model Code of Conduct has been imposed and AAP should have taken permission to show up at the BJP office. “Did AAP workers have permission to come to the BJP office? This is ridiculous... What happened to their non-violence policy?,” said Prasad.
AAP leader Shazia Ilmi accused the BJP of trying to create an atmosphere of hate and said the party supporters were protesting peacefully outside the BJP office and BJP members started throwing stones at them from inside the office.
Following reports of clashes, Kejriwal appealed to AAP volunteers to maintain calm. “I urge all volunteers not to raise their hand and to stay calm,” he said.