BJP infighting turns bloody, councillor arrested for murder

Infighting in the BJP ahead of Delhi municipal elections cost a party worker his life when he was stabbed to death allegedly by three persons, including a party councillor who is contesting the polls.

The incident took place in Azadpur railway station near Model Town last night and sitting councillor Madhav Prasad (47), who is BJP candidate from Sangam Park, was arrested by police following the death of Jai Prakash.

Prakash was also a ticket aspirant from the same ward but the party gave the ticket to the sitting councillor after which both were said to be not on good terms.

Prasad’s two supporters Manoj alias Tinky, who allegedly stabbed Prakash, and Anil Yadav, who held the victim along with the councillor, were also arrested, B S Gurjar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways), said.

One of the accused Manoj suffered head injuries in the scuffle and a separate case has been registered against three persons — Virender, Balram and Santosh — of the rival group who had allegedly attacked Manoj. Virender has been arrested and efforts are on to nab the other culprits.

This is the first incident of election-related violence reported in the capital ahead of the April 15 polls and comes as a major embarrassment to the BJP, which is already facing rebellion following distribution of party tickets.

A senior police official said Prakash and Prasad had an altercation at a party workers’ meeting yesterday following which Prakash was stabbed. He was rushed to Sunderlal Jain hospital where he succumbed to his injuries this morning.

“We received a call at around 11:30 a.m regarding the fight. Manoj alias Tinky is alleged to be the one who stabbed the victim. He also suffered head injuries,” he said.

Prasad was sent to judicial custody till April 24 and he will have to contest the polls from behind the bars if court does not allow him bail. The polling for MCD will take place this Sunday.

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley termed the incident as “unfortunate” and said he does not see any politics behind it while seeking to blame the law and order situation in the city.

Delhi Congress chief J.P. Agarwal said there was no place for violence in democracy and demanded that BJP withdraw its candidates who indulge in anti-social activities.