VADODARA: The Congress and BJP workers clashed with each other on Dabhoi Road during the civic poll campaign on Friday afternoon. At least five persons suffered injuries and some vehicles were damaged during the clashes that happened just hours before the civic poll campaign closed. Both parties blamed each other for the violence but the police said that no FIR was registered in the case.
“It was a pre-planned attack on our campaign rally by the BJP. Senior BJP leaders had provoked the workers to create ruckus in our ward as they are scared of losing,” claimed Congress leader, Chandrakant Srivastava, who is contesting from ward 16. Srivastava’s son Vishal suffered minor head injuries along with Congress workers, Jay Thakore and Ashish Mangrola.
Congress candidate, Alka Patel, who is contesting from the same ward, alleged, “The BJP workers abused us and asked us to leave the area,” she claimed. The incident occurred at about 12.15 pm when Congress and BJP rallies came face to face near Soma Talav. Workers of both parties first resorted to sloganeering but within minutes, the ruckus turned ugly and some unidentified persons began pelting stones.
The police intervened and tried to control both the groups that went on rampage. Senior police officials too rushed to the spot and ensured that no untoward incident occurs later.
BJP city unit president, Vijay Shah alleged, “The Congress workers began abusing our party workers when the election rallies came face to face. They then attacked our workers who suffered injuries. Such incidents spoil the image of our city.”
“The timings of Congress and BJP rallies were different. But the Congress rally started bit late and hence they came face to face. There were clashes but we haven’t received complaint from both sides,” said a senior police official.