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Many hurt as BJP, Congress workers
clash in Delhi

"A clash took place between the workers of the two parties, which was followed by a retaliatory action on BJP headquarters on Ashoka Road by Congress activists," Joint Commissioner of Police Amod Kanth said.

Many leaders of both the parties, including All India Congress Committee general-secretary Ambika Soni and BJP Mahila Morcha president Kanta Nalwade, were hurt in the scuffle.

The Congress alleged that the police had allowed the BJP workers to reach the residence of their party president, Sonia Gandhi, with lathis, stones and bottles.

However, the police maintained that the demonstration was staged outside the Congress headquarters, which is next to Sonia's residence.

Claiming that the demonstration against the "criminalisation of politics" in the wake of Congress corporator Atma Ram Gupta's murder allegedly at the behest of fellow party woman Councillor Sharda Jain was peaceful, the BJP alleged that Soni had attacked Nalwade in the presence of Congress leaders Oscar Fernandes and Mukul Wasnik.

Later, scores of Youth Congress activists allegedly indulged in stone pelting outside the BJP headquarters.

The Congress sought an explanation from Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani as to how political activists were allowed in the high security zone where prohibitory orders were in force.

"What has happened is shameful and unprecedented," Soni said, adding, "this is a serious security lapse outside the residence of the Leader of Opposition [Sonia Gandhi]."

In a complaint with the police, senior Congress leader Motilal Vora demanded immediate action against the guilty. He said Soni, who was hit by a stone, was later discharged from the Parliament Annexe clinic after first aid.

Kanth said cases under rioting and violation of prohibitory orders had been registered.

Nalwade, who was treated at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for a head injury, said the party activists were staging a peaceful demonstration and accused the Congress workers of indulging in violence.

"Everyone has a right to express their view in a democracy, but it cannot be countered by violence," party spokesman Arun Jaitley said.

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