New Delhi [India], August 29 : Congress leader KC Venugopal has condemned the "attack" on party's state unit in Patna, alleging that it was led by a sitting cabinet minister and other BJP leaders, and asserted that the party will continue to expose the "massive vote chori being carried out in the name of SIR".
The clash broke out in front of the Congress office in Patna on Friday after BJP workers staged a protest over the alleged derogatory remarks made by a man against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during the Congress-RJD's Vote Adhikar Yatra in Darbhanga on Wednesday. Stones were reportedly pelted during the protest.
Venugopal, in a post on X, accused BJP of "unleashing hooligans to intimidate us"
"Baffled by the soaring popularity of the Voter Adhikar Yatra and the groundswell of public sentiment against them, the BJP has once again unleashed its hooligans to intimidate and scare us," he said.
"The attack on our Bihar PCC Office Sadaqat Ashram in Patna, led by a sitting cabinet minister and other BJP leaders, is an act of cowardice and will not deter us from continuing to expose the massive Vote Chori being carried out in the name of SIR. The BJP has sensed its imminent downfall and the growing anger of the people in Bihar, and its desperation knows no limits. Attacking a party office is the worst form of political hooliganism and can never be pardoned," he added.
Venugopal said such violence has no place in a democracy, and the BJP's vandalism of this scale exposes its true character.
He said the Bihar Police must take strict action against those responsible.
"This must be condemned and protested against by all those who believe in democracy, and we call upon every citizen to rise in united protest against this brazen act. The Bihar Police must take strict and exemplary action against the perpetrators of this crime, and must arrest the ministers and leaders who led this hooliganism," Venugopal said.
Earlier, Congress leader Sachin Pilot blamed the BJP for the violence during a clash between workers of the two parties in Patna, saying it was triggered by growing support for the ongoing 'Voter Adhikar Yatra'."This violence is a response to this yatra. Lakhs of people are joining the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' started by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. This is a fight for votes, a fight for the rights of voters. They (BJP) are scared of this support, which is why they are resorting to violence," Pilot told ANI.
He condemned the incident and urged the government to take strict action. "I condemn this. And the government should take strict action against this. It will not be possible to suppress the voice of the opposition through violence. We will fight with full strength... We ask questions from the Election Commission, and the BJP responds... This yatra is a journey to make people aware," he said.
Meanwhile, Bihar minister and BJP leader Nitin Nabin stated that the public will give a "befitting reply" to Congress. "Every son of Bihar will give a befitting reply to Congress for insulting a mother. We will take revenge for this," he said.
Ashutosh, a Congress worker, blamed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alleging that the clash took place with the government's involvement. "This is happening with the government's involvement. Nitish Kumar is doing wrong," he said.
Earlier in the day, Darbhanga Police arrested a man accused of hurling abuses against PM Modi during Congress-RJD's Vote Adhikar Yatra.
Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Chaudhary said a case has been registered."A case has been registered, and an accused arrested. His name is being verified. The person is identifying himself as Raja...Action will be taken against those found involved," Chaudhary said.
A video of the incident showing the man allegedly making abusive remarks against the Prime Minister had gone viral on social media.