Protests during Kiran Bedi's visit to Krishna Nagar ahead of polls
Bedi was forced to leave the area after her car was blocked by a group of residents
New Delhi: BJP's chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi's visit to Muslim dominated-Khajuri Khas area of Krishna Nagar constituency on Friday was marked by protests with locals accusing her of violating the model code of conduct by "continuing to campaign" a day ahead of the Delhi polls. Campaign for the one of fiercest electoral battles in the national capital came to an end yesterday.
"How could she (Bedi) be here when the campaigning has already ended yesterday? She is violating the model code of conduct," a resident said.
Bedi was forced to leave the area after her car was blocked by a group of residents despite she and her supporters telling them that they were in the constituency only to hold "closed-door meetings with party workers".
Later, police had to intervene to disperse the crowd. AAP candidate from Krishna Nagar S K Bagga alleged that Bedi was accompanied by almost hundred supporters and had been organising meetings with the residents since morning.
"As per the model code of conduct, a candidate can meet the residents along with a few people. But since morning we have been continuously getting calls from voters that Bedi was accompanied by almost hundred supporters.
"I have, however, told them that she is a retired IPS officer who knows the norms and guidelines very well. She also knows the ways to misuse the government machinery. I told them to remain calm," Bagga said.
Earlier in the day, Bedi visited a gurudwara in Krishna Nagar where she offered prayers and was seen rolling out 'rotis' for langar (community kitchen). Meanwhile, additional police force was deployed at Tikri border following minor clashes between AAP and BJP supporters in Bahadurgarh in Haryana near the border.
"No disturbance occured on Delhi side of the border," a senior police official said.