An AAP candidate's car was set on fire during clashes between BJP and AAP workers in New Delhi on Saturday (Press Trust of India photo)
A car of an AAP candidate was set ablaze today as supporters of the party clashed with BJP activists in the national capital.
AAP workers allege that the party's Tughlakabad candidate Sahiram Pehelwan's car was set on fire by BJP workers around 4:30 pm soon after they were leaving the premises of a TV channel after the shoot of a news debate. The party also alleged that supporters of BJP parliamentarian Ramesh Bidhuri attacked their volunteers, some of who, it claimed, had to be hospitalised.
"AAP workers set the car on fire to blame BJP. AAP workers started the clash," Mr Bidhuri said, claiming that a number of BJP workers were seriously injured in the clash.
As the parties traded charges, AAP chief and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted,
BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi hit back, saying,"They are frustrated. They thought it (elections) would be a cakewalk but they know now that they cannot run politics like this."
Delhi is under President's rule but election dates are expected to be announced soon. Despite securing the maximum number of seats in assembly elections in 2013, BJP chose to sit in the opposition. The AAP formed the government with the support of the Congress but Mr Kejriwal resigned as chief minister after just 49 days in office.
The AAP has already announced its candidates for the poll. The Congress has also declared a first list, though the election is expected to be a straight contest between the BJP and the AAP. The BJP, buoyed by its performance in the recent assembly elections in several states, is keen on replicating it in Delhi as well.