Delhi CM Kejriwal claims victory, after AAP-BJP clash over Chhath Puja

A day after BJP and AAP workers in Delhi clashed over construction of Chhath Ghat, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said that it was a victory of Purvanchalis. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said that there were "people" who created disruption for Purvanchalis. Without naming BJP, the Delhi CM said that after a struggle by "Purvanchali brothers", they won and now the Chhath Ghat is being constructed at the same spot. Earlier on Thursday, Kejriwal announced that 1108 Ghats will be made this year instead of 72 as people have to travel long distances to celebrate their festival. 

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Clashes between AAP and BJP workers 

Earlier on October 31, clashes were reported between AAP and BJP workers over the construction of a Chhath Puja ghat in south Delhi's Kalkaji. While AAP workers alleged that the BJP workers were interrupting them in construction of Ghat, BJP alleged that AAP is creating a controversy over Chhath Puja. Following the incident, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh sat on a dharna briefly on Thursday.

Singh claimed BJP workers thrashed AAP members when they tried to counter the local councillor Subhash Bhadana's opposition to a Chhath ghat inside an MCD park in Kalkaji. "The incident has exposed the true face of BJP. I won't leave from here until BJP is exposed completely," Singh, who also sat on a dharna, said. Meanwhile, releasing a video, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha dared BJP to stop him from conducting Chhath Puja in New Delhi. In the video, he said, "do not try to play with our faith. Because, if someone tries to do so, we know how to teach them a lesson."  Later in the evening, AAP ended the protest after permission for Chhath pooja was granted. Singh said BJP's "anti-Purvanchali mentality" has been exposed to the people of Delhi. "This is not the first incident. Purvanchalis have been killed, beaten up, and thrown out of the BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra and Gujarat," he alleged.

READ: AAP MLA dares BJP to stop him from conducting Chhath Puja

BJP hits back

Hitting back, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said AAP workers were trying to "vitiate the atmosphere" before Chhath Puja. "History is witness to the fact that Chhathi Maiya punishes those who create hindrance in Chhath Puja," said Tiwari. Local MP and BJP national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi accused the AAP leaders of indulging in "anarchic and hate politics."

"The park in question where the AAP leaders staged dharna for having Chhath Puja is an ornamental park. Local residents have banned events like marriage functions there. Also, no permission was sought and the whole issue was blown out by AAP dragging the BJP into it. The way several AAP MLAs and party MP Sanjay Singh staged dharna shows there intent to politicise the issue which is hateful considering the significance of Chhath Puja. Chhath Maiya will not forgive AAP and punish the party in coming elections," she said.

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READ: BJP-AAP workers clash over preparations of Chhath Puja in Delhi