BJP workers clash with AAP activists

LUCKNOW: AAP workers today fought running battles with BJP activists outside the saffron party headquarters in Delhi and Lucknow hours and Arvind Kejriwal's car was damaged in Gujarat in retaliation to protests against his brief detention in the state.

The violence on the streets came on a day the Election Commission announced the Lok Sabha poll schedule and police in Gujarat stopped Kejtiwal, who began a 4-day tour of the state, on his tracks for alleged violation of the model code of conduct by travelling in a long carcade. Shortly later, he was allowed to go.

Accusing Narendra Modi of getting scared of Kejriwal and initiating police action, AAP workers stormed the BJP head office on Ashoka Road in central Delhi protesting against Kejriwal's detention in Radhanpur in North Gujarat where he has gone to "inspect" development that has been claimed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

They shouted slogans against Modi saying he was "scared" by Kejriwal's visit and was using the police against him.

The rival sides attacked each other indulging in pelting of stones. Plastic chairs were hurled from inside BJP office on the protesters outside.

Police which reached the spot used water canons to disperse the warring activists.

The scene outside the BJP office looked a battle field with activists of both sides hurling stones and other missiles at each other. At least five people from either side were injured, police said. Police said an FIR will be filed in the case.

Nalin Kohli, a BJP office bearer, accused journalist-turned AAP leader Ashutosh, a candidate in Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency, of engineering the trouble and demanded his arrest.

But AAP leaders hit back saying it was the BJP activists who provoked violence.

In Lucknow, workers of Aam Aadmi Party, armed with brooms, clashed with lathi-wielding activists of BJP and fought pitched street battles outside BJP office on Vidhan Sabha Marg in protest against detention of Kejriwal.