The Aam Aadmi Party on Friday urged the Election Commission to order deployment of central security forces in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to ensure “free and fair” elections.
In a high-profile contest for Varanasi, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is taking on the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Ajai Rai of the Congress.
“BJP abetting attacks”Charging the BJP with “abetting” attacks on AAP leaders and workers, senior leader Prashant Bhushan also sought the presence of senior central observers in Varanasi “to ensure that the campaign is not marred by violence.”
Varanasi goes to the polls on May 12.
‘Local authorities inept’In a letter to the Commission Mr. Bhushan wrote: “We expect these attacks to become worse in the days to come. The local authorities are unable and unwilling to do anything to stop the attacks or to identify and apprehend the mastermind behind them.”
“This needs to be done urgently to prevent any untoward incident,” he added.
Last month, ink was thrown on Mr. Kejriwal and eggs hurled on his car during a roadshow in the city.
