Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party clashed at the inauguration of Delhi’s new Signature Bridge, shifting the spotlight from the bridge to their tussle ahead of the event, on Sunday, 4 November.
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, along with other party members, staged a protest at the bridge, allegedly because they weren’t sent an invitation to attend the bridge’s inauguration. When Tiwari and his men tried to force their way into the event, the police tried to stop them, resulting in an altercation.
I’ve identified the policemen who got into an altercation with me. I recognise them all and in four days, I’ll show them what police really is. (Police ke jin logon ne mujhse dhakka-mukki ki hai unki shinakht ho gayi hai. Mein in sabko pehchaan chuka hun aur 4 din mein inko bataunga ki police kya hoti hai.)Manoj Tiwari, BJP MP
Tiwari had expressed displeasure over not being invited to the inaugural function and took a dig at the Kejriwal government saying that he would be present at the bridge, to welcome the chief minister, who was set to inaugurate the bridge on Sunday.
In Video, AAP MLA Amanatullah ‘Seen Pushing’ Tiwari
In another video, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan was purportedly seen pushing Tiwari as the BJP leader attempted to enter the venue of the inauguration ceremony, according to ANI.
Clarifying his actions, Khan said he did not “push” Tiwari but merely stopped him from climbing the stage. The AAP leader added that BJP workers, along with Tiwari, tore posters and demonstrated with black flags at the event.
When he (Manoj Tiwari) was trying to climb the stage, I stopped him. I didn’t push him. It was obvious from his actions that if he was successful in climbing the stage, he would have misbehaved or attacked the CM and deputy CM.Amanatullah Khan, as told to ANI
Khan also alleged that the Delhi Police did not stop the protesting BJP workers.
We Didn’t Allow Any Clash: Delhi Police
Denying charges of allowing violence to take place moments before the inauguration, Delhi Police said their staff exhibited restraint and diligence on Sunday evening at the venue of inauguration.
“Staff on duty performed their task with restraint and diligence. There was slogan shouting but police segregated the groups and didn't allow any clash or violence to take place,” Delhi Police Joint CP, Eastern Range told ANI.
Tiwari is the BJP MP from North East Delhi and the bridge is located in his constituency.
Replying to Tiwari's tweet, Sisodia had said that all of Delhi including Tiwari was invited to the inauguration function and expected him to respect the event’s dignified nature.
The bridge will be open to the public from Monday, 5 November.
Thousands of people have come here to celebrate without an invitation card, but the MP (Manoj Tiwari) considers himself VIP. He is doing hooliganism. BJP people thrashed AAP volunteers & local people. They are admitted to the hospital.Dilip Pandey, Aam Aadmi Party
Kejriwal Hits Out at Centre’s Expenditure on Statue of Unity
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was set to inaugurate the bridge, called the protest by the BJP “unprecedented”. Kejriwal also accused the Delhi police of standing by as mute spectators.
In his speech, he also hit out at the central government for spending approximately Rs 3,000 crore on the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, which was inaugurated on 31 October.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
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