AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal detained in Gujarat; Police cites 'model code of conduct'

NEW DELHI: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal was on Wednesday detained in north Gujarat. The Gujarat Police cited the model code of conduct being in force as the reason for detaining AAP supporters and the chief.

According to Gujarat Police, with the model code of conduct in place, AAP has to seek prior permission before rallying in the state.

Election Commission on Wednesday announced the poll dates for the 16th Lok Sabha polls, the world's largest elections, which will begin from April 7 and end on May 12, 2014. With the announcement of the schedule, the model code of conduct for the 16th Lok Sabha elections is effective immediately.

Arriving in Gujarat for a four-day tour, Kejriwal said he would verify the development claims made by the state Chief Minister and BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

"Gujarat government and the media says there is 'Ramrajya' in this state. (They say) Education has developed, health issues have been resolved, corruption has been finished...So we have come here to see that development in Gujarat," he said after his arrival at the city airport.

Kejriwal is accompanied by other AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. They were welcomed by a large number of AAP members, who were seen carrying brooms (party symbol) and shouting slogans 'Sheila Dikshit hari hai, ab Modi ki bari hai' (Sheila Dikshit has lost, now it's Modi's turn).

The former Delhi Chief Minister had earlier said that the contest in this elections is between his party and BJP.