The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In a heated demonstration outside the BJP’s state office located in Thiruvananthapuram’s center, a significant number of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters took to the streets on Wednesday. These protesters ignited a firestorm by burning a representation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in effigy. Concurrently, a smaller contingent of BJP members emerged from their headquarters at Mararji Bhavan, seeking to engage with the AAP demonstrators.
The local police played a crucial role in de-escalating potential violence by positioning themselves as a human barrier to prevent direct confrontations between the two opposing factions. The crux of the AAP’s protest was the contentious arrest of Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, by the Enforcement Directorate. This arrest was connected to allegations of money laundering related to an excise policy. The AAP members organized their march towards the BJP headquarters from East Fort, following a campaign event titled ‘No Vote for BJP,’ which was kicked off by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
Dramatic scenes unfolded on social media, capturing a BJP supporter attempting to approach the AAP protesters while brandishing a large stone, only for the police to intervene promptly, confiscating the stone and escorting the individual away. Amidst the chaos, AAP protesters vocalized their dissent against the Modi government and expressed support for the INDIA bloc, with BJP affiliates countering with their own slogans supporting their party and Prime Minister.
The demonstration reached its peak intensity when AAP protesters, armed with brooms, battered an effigy of Modi before setting it ablaze. This act provoked further agitation among BJP supporters, who made several attempts to breach the police barrier and confront the AAP protesters, only to be rebuffed each time. A few BJP members even clashed with the police, prompting a brief use of batons by the officers.
Following the effigy burning, AAP protesters continued to occupy the road in front of the BJP office, causing a temporary blockade. The police eventually intervened, dispersing some of the protesters to restore order.
