Kejriwal holds silent protest against attack on Somnath Bharti

, Apr 24:

leader

today held a "silent prayer" at Assi ghat on the bank of Ganges here to pray for "wisdom and good sense" to those allegedly involved in last night's assault on Somnath Bharti. Kejriwal, accompanied by his party colleagues Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, sat near Assi Ghat for over one-and-half hour.

Earlier, at a press conference, he lashed out at Narendra Modi over the attack on Bharti allegedly by BJP workers and questioned whether the Gujarat model of development was about "threatening" people. He had also demanded immediate intervention of the EC to ensure free and fair polls.

AAP leader and former Delhi Law Minister, Somnath Bharti was assaulted last night allegedly by a group of BJP workers at the Assi Ghat when he made certain statements while participating in the election-related programme.

Accusing the local administration of not taking action against those involved in the attacks on AAP workers, Kejriwal asked, "What kind of culture BJP is bringing to this holy city? "This kind of attack is against the tradition and culture of this temple city. Is this Gujarat model where people are either threatened or bought over," Kejriwal, who is locked in a high-profile electoral battle against Modi here, said.

The silent protest by Kejriwal came on a day Modi held a massive road show here in a show of strength before filing his nomination for the May 12 electoral battle. "Our supporters are not safe here. This is a fight to finish (Aar Par Ki Ladai). Anything can happen here. For one person (Modi), the administration has closed the entire city but not heeding to any of our requests," Kejriwal said.

Targeting the UP government, Kejriwal said, "It appears that there has been some kind of understanding between Samajwadi Party and BJP. I have done road shows across the country. But here I have been denied permission to hold road shows." The Aam Aadmi Party chief held addressed a series of corner meetings at Dal Mandi, Ram Katora Malin village and Gaay Ghaat area of Varanasi where he appealed to people to vote for "change".

PTI