Kiran Bedi criticises AAP, says EC needs to keep close watch

Zee Media Bureau/Biplob Ghosal

New Delhi: In an apparent attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and ex-team mate Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi said that some are adept in first creating a storm and once the objective is met they pray for calm. Bedi`s reaction comes after violent clashes took place between AAP and BJP supporters in the national capital and Lucknow after Kejriwal was detained in Gujarat during his road show yesterday. Reports said that clashes also took place in Allahabad and an effigy of BJP`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was burnt in Civil Lines area. Criticising AAP`s political moves, the former Team Anna member accused the new political outfit of adopting many unlawful actions to keep themselves in the limelight. Bedi tweeted:

In their impatience to increase(even negative) vote share,young outfits adopt many unlawful actions to keep themselves in news thru conflict

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) March 6, 2014

The activist-turned politician later apologised for some AAP activists "retaliating" while protesting his detention. Kejriwal claimed that AAP workers were first attacked by BJP supporters. Some of the agitated AAP workers had responded by pelting "two or three stones", he told reporters. Lambasting the AAP, the former top cop tweeted: “Is a particular political outfit not enacting a `Model of Misconduct` to essentially keep itself as distraction?EC needs to keep close watch.” Bedi has been a vocal critic of Kejriwal-led party and has repeatedly endorsed Narendra Modi for the prime minister`s post.

Our democracy may slip into a mobocracy if we do not bring in clear majority with allies for @narendramodi to govern! Chaos suits d unruly!

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) March 5, 2014

Coming down hard on the AAP for protesting outside BJP headquarters in the national capital Wednesday evening, Bedi questioned the new outfit`s motive and tweeted:

When a particular political outfit goes to another political party office in anger,does it go it to 'defend' or provoke & invite an attack?— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) March 5, 2014

AAP supporters, who were protesting against Kejriwal`s detention in Radhanpur in north Gujarat assembled outside BJP head office on Ashoka Road in central Delhi, following which the BJP activists allegedly pelted stones at AAP members. Both the parties` members were seen hurling stones and chairs at each other. The clashes turned so violent that police had to intervene and use water cannons to disperse the crowd. Angry AAP workers vandalised BJP hoardings. AAP leaders Shazia Ilmi, Ashutosh and Rajmohan Gandhi were at the protest side. Bedi further said that if any political outfit has any grievance against another party, then it should report it to the Election Commission.

Speed at which particular outfit is getting in conflict with law,will it not need a special court to try its case of riots and defamations?— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) March 5, 2014

Some outfits think that eyeballs are equal to votes. They are sadly mistaken!

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) March 5, 2014

Bedi said media has to decide how much coverage should be given to such outfits who are breaking the law. Bedi said, “For such certain agitation groups TV is OXYGEN!”

Perhaps Delhi Police may need exclusive law and order police for demonstrations by certain groups for whom agitation is natural and a habit!— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) March 5, 2014