AAP candidate attacked in Bihar; party slams EC

After their candidate from Nalanda parliamentary constituency, Pranav Prakash, was allegedly roughed up and his car attacked during campaigning, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders on Monday met chief election officer, Bihar, to lodge a formal complaint against EC observers for allegedly failing to provide protection to contestants and in keeping anti-social elements in check.

“Given the attitude of the police and EC officials, it seems that the ruling party and government officials are in cahoots,” the complaint said.

PATNA/BHOPAL:

AFTER THE INCIDENTS, THE PARTY, ON MONDAY, DEMANDED THE EC’S IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION TO ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

Prakash was allegedly attacked on Sunday night, while campaigning in Udarfu village under Bind police station in Asthawan assembly segment of Nalanda district, said Basant Kumar Choudhary, convener, Bihar Campaign Committee, AAP, in his complaint.

“Suddenly, out of nowhere a, 20-30 goons, armed with rods, pis- tols and other weapons, opened fire on Prakash’s car, broke windowpanes, dragged him out of the vehicle into a ditch, and beat him unconscious,” the complaint said.

The incident occurred hours after unidentified men raised slogans in support of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and pelted stones at the dais during an AAP rally addressed by Shazia Ilmi in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday.

Ilmi was at the public meeting in support of AAP candidate from the Mandsaur-NeemuchLok Sabha seat Paras Saklecha. She filed a complaint and demanded registration of a case against BJP workers.

(With agency inputs)