AAP seeks more security in Amethi

AAP volunteers take out a processing in Amethi. Hoardings against AAP leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have sprouted across Amethi ahead of the party’s ‘Jan Vishwas’ rally on Sunday, prompting it to demand additional security. File photo

Apprehensive that certain political parties might disrupt its public meeting in Amethi on Sunday, the Aam Aadmi Party has sought additional security from the administration. The AAP submitted a memorandum to the Amethi administration after hoardings and posters accusing senior AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, of being “anti-national” sprouted across Amethi on Saturday.

The party, which recently formed government in Delhi, will kick-off its Lok Sabha campaign in Uttar Pradesh with a 'Jan Vishwas' rally in the Nehru-Gandh bastion Amethi.

The AAP’s Kumar Vishwas, who will address Sunday's rally, is tipped to fight the Lok Sabha elections from this seat, currently held by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

The posters, purportedly put up by the Rashtriya Rashtravadi Party, a lesser known outfit, accuse Mr. Kejriwal, Mr. Vishwas and Manish Sisodia of being “rashtravdrohi.” Some of the posters also posed, “Kya rashtradrohi ab desh chalaenge? (Will anti-nationals now run the country?)”

AAP Amethi convenor Hanuman Singh, along with other members, submitted a memorandum to the administration demanding additional security for the rally at the Ramlila ground. “We are enthusiastic. The administration has assured us of adequate security. Such tactics are only to disturb the atmosphere as other parties know that we are quickly gaining support in their backyard.”

Hinting at the Congress, he added: “They have not done any work for the constituency, so there have no option but to disturb others.”

The RRP has alleged that the body of AAP worker Santosh Koli in Noida was wrapped in the Indian tricolor on August 7 last year, mounting to disrespect to the national flag. The outfit has also filed a petition against it in the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.

Adequate forces, depending on the strength of the crowd, will be posted at the venue to maintain law and order, said Amethi District Magistrate Jagatraj Tewari.

Another less known outfit, the UP Nav Nirman Sena, recently threatened to block the AAP’s rallies in the State. The AAP has said that it would contest all the 80 seats in UP.