The video of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA being manhandled by his party workers, allegedly over who can be candidates for the Delhi civic election, and finally making a dash for it, has gone viral, with many BJP leaders sharing it on social media.
The BJP said the video is proof that AAP is "selling tickets" to contest the civic polls, and workers are resentful - a charge hotly contested by the MLA in the video, Gulab Singh Yadav. Arvind Kejriwal's party is yet to comment on the issue.
Sources said Gulab Singh Yadav, who represents Matiala in the Delhi assembly, was holding a meeting with party workers around 8 pm on Monday, when trouble broke out.
It is not yet known what the dispute was about, but amid a heated exchange, angry workers started manhandling the MLA, grabbing him by the collar and pushing. As Mr Yadav tried to dash out, the workers gave chase and rained blows on him. The MLA was finally seen running away, with the workers in hot pursuit.
Among those who shared the video was the BJP's Sambit Patra.
"Unprecedented scenes from the party that indulged in the theatrical drama of 'honest politics'. Such is AAP's corruption that even their members are not sparing their MLAs! A similar outcome awaits them in upcoming MCD polls," read his caption for the 1.30-minute clip.
The Delhi unit of the BJP alleged that Mr Yadav was thrashed by AAP workers on the charge of selling tickets.
Shortly after, the MLA tweeted, rubbishing the BJP allegations.
"The BJP has gone berserk. It is making baseless allegations of selling tickets. I am at Chhawla police station now. I have seen the BJP's corporator and BJP's candidate from this ward present in the police station to save those people (his attackers). What can be a bigger proof than this? The media is present here, must ask the BJP," read a rough translation of his Hindi tweet.
Earlier today, the BJP released what they claimed were sting videos that proved that AAP was selling tickets for the civic polls.
Mr Patra told reporters that the video was shot by an AAP volunteer from North West Delhi, who was asked to pay Rs 80,000 for a ticket. The sting video revealed that 110 tickets of AAP were reserved for distribution in exchange for money, he added.
Arvind Kejriwal, who is campaigning in Gujarat for the coming assembly elections, brushed off the claims.
"The BJP releases 'manohar kahaniyan' (referring to a popular magazine of fictional stories) every day. It comes up with a sting operation. The people of Delhi are asking what they did in the municipal corporation (MCD) for 15 years and they have no answer. The people of Gujarat are asking what they did in 27 years and they have no answer," Mr Kejriwal told reporters.
AAP has been holding an upbeat campaign, hoping to capture power in Delhi's civic polls. The party is banking on anti-incumbency after three consecutive terms of the BJP. From garbage removal to timely salaries for MCD employees, Mr Kejriwal has announced "10 guarantees".
Still more crucial are the elections in Gujarat, where AAP has pitched itself as the chief contender against the BJP, which has been ruling the state since 1995.
9CommentsThe civic polls in Delhi will be held on December 4, the results will be out on December 7. The Gujarat assembly elections will be held on December 1 and 5, the counting of votes will be held on December 8.
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