The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP of indulging in violence against its candidates in Gujarat and urged the Election Commission to initiate action.
The party alleged that its candidate against Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot West seat Indranil Rajyaguru, Rajkot East nominee Mitul Donga and its MP Rajeet Satav, were arrested and abused by the Rajkot police.
"Our leaders Indranil Rajyaguru, Mitul Donga and MP Rajeev Satav, who are fighting the 'Shah-kaal' of fear and corruption in Gujarat, were attacked by the Gujarat Police on Sunday," Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
भय व भ्रष्टाचार के 'शाह-काल' को टक्कर दे रहे हमारे राजकोट प्रत्याशियों इंद्रनील राज्यगुरु, मितुल डोंगा व MP राजीव सातव पर कल गुजरात पुलिस ने हमला किया।
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 3, 2017
हिंसा डर की पैदाइश है। रूपाणीजी के दिल में चुनाव हारने का डर है तो लाठियों का सहारा ले रहे हैं।मगर #ગુજરાત_ડરતું_નથી #DaroMat
"Violence is a result of fear. Rupani ji fears losing the election and he is taking the support of lathis (batons). But Gujarat is not frightened," he said.
Gandhi also re-tweeted a video posted from the twitter handle of the Mumani-wing of Congress wherein police officials are seen clashing with a bunch of people.
Gandhi also re-tweeted a video posted from the twitter handle of the Mumani-wing of Congress wherein police officials are seen clashing with a bunch of people.
This kind of behavior has never been seen in Indian election process, CM Rupani is afraid of losing the elections, so has acted like this. #शाह_काल pic.twitter.com/K5O5xhuFaQ
— MumbaiCongress (@INCMumbai) December 3, 2017
Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev alleged that Rupani was "bewildered" as he was "losing" and was thus indulging in violence against the Congress leaders.
She said she has already heard the chief minister's audio claiming that the BJP "is in a bad shape".
Dev said last night when Rajyaguru was campaigning, some goons of the BJP attacked him. Instead of arresting the goons, the police arrested our candidate.
"We will file a complaint on behalf of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress. The manner in which our leaders were abused, this is the Gujarat model," Dev told reporters here.
"We demand action from the Election Commission against BJP's candidate and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, as also against the DGP and IG of Rajkot," she said.
Dev also said, "We urge the people of Gujarat to end BJP's 'goondagardi' (hooliganism) as this is the only occasion to do so and we hope that they will come out and vote them out of power."
The Congress spokesperson claimed that Rupani "will lose" from Rajkot West constituency and so will the deputy chief minister.
"While implementing the Gujarat model, the local police also arrested Rajeev Satav, an MP, who had gone there to enquire about the Congress candidate," she alleged.
"Rupani is unable to answer the questions raised to him and is misusing the police. The people of Gujarat will answer through the ballot as you are using the police lathi and bullet," Dev said.
The Mahila Congress chief asked whether a sitting MLA and MP is arrested, did the Rajkot police inform the speaker in the state Assembly or Lok Sabha.
"It is surprising that a sitting MLA has been arrested," she said.
Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala, said, "People of Gujarat and Rajkot will teach a befitting lesson for such brutalities through the power of ballot."
"A frustrated BJP facing defeat in CM Rupani's constituency arrested INC candidate Indraneel Rajyaguru, MP and AICC Secretary Rajiv Satav and assaulted them," Surjewala alleged.