Gujarat EDN DNA 24DEC2011
Cong-BJP rivalry turns violent; former BJP mayor arrested after scuffle
Bhavesh Shah | Rajkot
The peace of Rajkot city is under threat. Tension is mounting due to the rivalry between Congress and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) which took a violent turn just two days ahead of the Sadbhavana Mission of Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Uday Kangad, former mayor and a BJP leader, had a violent scuffle with Jaswantsinh Bhatti, president of Rajkot City Congress over a dispute of placement of posters for the upcoming daylong fasts by the rival camps. Police have swiftly swung into action and have arrested Kangad after Congress leaders lodged a complaint against him, police said.
The first incident occurred at noon when Congress party workers tore apart a poster of Sadbhavana Mission. The poster was allegedly placed near a statue of Rajiv Gandhi in such a manner that it covered the statue of the late prime minister. According to sources, Jaswantsinh had asked BJP functionaries to remove the posters from the site. However, Uday Kangad along with his supporters, came to the scene and slapped Bhatti on the face. "Uday also brandished his revolver at Bhatti, before other workers intervened," a witness said.
On hearing about the incident, other Congress leaders also joined Bhatti on the spot and decided to bring the incident to the notice of the police. "Jaswant Bhatti filed a complaint against Uday Kangad at Praduymnanagar Police Station," Atul Rajani, a Congress corporator said.
"We have arrested Uday Kangad and his associate Arvind Raiyani. They have been booked under section 323 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code and 114 of the Arms Act," VB Jadeja, police inspector, Praduymnanagar police station said.
After gathering at the police commissioner's office, leaders and workers of both parties strongly put forward their case. The rivalry between the two camps started when BJP workers tried to stop Congress workers from booking important grounds for their Satkarma Abhiyaan to protest the Sadbhavna Mission. The CM's fast is scheduled for December 26.
"The Congress action seems an act of desperation. Rather than try to remove the poster, they should have informed us and we would have happily removed it or relocated it," Vijay Rupani, Rajya Sabha member and a top BJP leader said.
Meanwhile, some Congress workers pelted stones on posters put on display by the BJP at 150 feet Ring Road here. There are also reports of Congress workers allegedly setting posters of BJP leaders on fire at Malaviyanagar area of the city. Top police officials have rushed to the spot and at present are not available for comment.
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