EC to deploy additional security in Varanasi after AAP's demand

The Election Commission on Tuesday directed deployment of central security forces following several attacks on Aam Aadmi Party leaders and volunteers in Varanasi.

The AAP had approached the EC after its volunteers Ankit Lal and Nandan Mishra were attacked at Assi Ghat in Varanasi on Monday evening by alleged Bhartiya Janata Party workers.

EC Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath conveyed AAP senior leader and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan that more security could be deployed in case there are further attacks on the party members, AAP said in a press statement on Tuesday.

According to AAP officials, the AAP volunteers were chanting patriotic songs at the Varanasi ghat when a few unknown persons wearing BJP badges attacked them leaving Nandan with a broken nose and Lal with a damaged left ear drum. Both were rushed to the hospital following the incident.

Earlier Bhushan had written to EC on Tuesday demanding strengthening of security to AAP volunteers in Varansi, a constituency where most of the top AAP leaders and volunteers are camping in at present.

"Unfortunately, the authorities in Varanasi are doing nothing to apprehend the culprits or their masterminds despite video evidence being available in some cases...In particular, we are apprehending intimidation and violence in the Rohania and Sevapuri assembly segments of the constituency on election day," Bhushan wrote in the letter.

The party also demanded video monitoring of polling booths in Varanasi constituency. Last week, AAP leader Somnath Bharti was attacked during a television show at Assi Ghat by alleged BJP goons.

Varanasi will go to polls on 12 May and witness one of the most anticipated battles between AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and BJP titan Narendra Modi.