Tension over Chandni Chowk Aam Aadmi Party candidate Alka Lamba’s ‘prolonged’ presence at a polling station in Majnu Ka Tilla was prevented from escalating further, thanks to timely intervention by the police.
Supporters of both the BJP and the Congress alleged that Ms. Lamba was trying to influence the voters and they demanded that she be made to leave the premise.
AAP supporters, on the other hand, argued that their leader’s presence inside the polling station was to ensure that no rigging of votes took place and voters did not face any other issue in exercising their franchise.
This led to a heated argument between the two sides with AAP workers alleging that some of the Congress leaders had also entered the polling station. The policemen on duty tried to pacify the angry volunteers from both sides who kept insisting that their respective demands were met.
As Ms. Lamba stayed inside, some BJP activists wearing saffron caps also joined and reiterated the demands made by Congress supporters. The verbal exchange graduated to the level of volunteers shoving and pushing each other as constables present there remained mute spectators.
Meanwhile, some police officers arrived at the scene and convinced both sides to leave the area near the polling station.
Meanwhile, Ms. Lamba came out and told reporters present outside the polling station that she had come after receiving reports that Congress workers had tried to bribe the voters.
“I am well within my rights to be at the polling station as a candidate. If there are malpractices, someone has to come and set things right,” she said adding that she had no faith in the police or other authorities.
Ms. Lamba added that the BJP and the Congress were both nervous about losing the Delhi Assembly elections and the ruckus outside the polling station was a sign of frustration the two parties were facing.
