Aam Aadmi Party may get censure for protest outside BJP headquarters

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party may get a censure from the Election Commission for the protest which turned violent outside the BJP headquarters on Wednesday.

Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer is likely to send his report on the incident to the Election Commission, which has been approached by the BJP seeking derecognition of the fledgling party.

Sources in the Delhi Election Office said that AAP may get away with censure and the demand for de-recognition may not be acceded to because it is the first offence.

The AAP had yesterday replied to the show cause notice issued by District Election Officer (DEO) on the protest by its workers, saying it was an "instant reaction" to its chief Arvind Kejriwal's detention in Gujarat.

In its reply, AAP said the protest was not a "planned event" and maintained that it respects the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in force ahead of Lok Sabha polls scheduled to begin from next month.

Delhi Police in its report to the District Election Officer of New Delhi had accused AAP protesters of indulging in "riotous acts and using criminal force" to prevent police from discharging their duty.

According to the report, 4 policemen, 16 AAP workers and 9 BJP workers and 1 media person suffered injuries during the scuffle and were taken to RML hospital.

BJP has also submitted the footages of the protest to the DEO.