Congmen, IAC activists clash in Farrukhabad

"I am unfazed by threats," says Kejriwal

GN Bureau / PTI | November 1, 2012



The venue for activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal’s rally to highlight alleged irregularities by a trust operated by union minister Salman Khurshid and his wife turned into a battleground on Thursday afternoon as Kejriwal’s supporters clashed with Congress activists.

Read the previous story: Kejriwal's protest: tight security in Farrukhabad

While the police tried to play down the incident, agency reports from the area quoted those present saying that some IAC workers were beaten up, and many people were moving around with bricks, stones and rods in hand.

According to reports, Kejriwal's India Against Corruption (IAC) supporters said Farrukhabad belonged to the common man and not Khurshid, while Congress workers said they won't let the rally be a success.

NDTV reported that windows of a car carrying members of Bharatiya Kisan Union, an organisation of famers that is backing Kejriwal, were smashed by Congress workers as it headed towards the venue: Lohia Park in Farrukhabad's Awas Vikas.

Reports said Kejriwal's convoy was also stopped by Khurshid’s supporters on way to Farrukhabad. Protesters wearing caps with the slogan "Main hoon Salman Khurshid" (I am Salman Khurshid) — a take-off on the “Main hoon Anna” caps made famous by the IAC earlier — and waving black flags blocked the road before the police intervened and let Kejriwal continue his journey.

"I am unfazed by threats," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal has been demanding Khurshid's removal following reports that the NGO run by his family had embezzled funds worth lakhs meant for distributing aid to differently-abled people in Uttar Pradesh.

Then the Law minister, Khurshid, who became the External Affairs minister on Sunday, had purportedly warned the anti-graft activist and his supporters against coming to his constituency, according to visuals aired by television channels last month.

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