BJP protests against attack on campaign vehicle in Chembur, gives 24-hour ultimatum to police to take action

The vehicle found damaged on Tuesday morning in Mumbai’s Chembur was to be used for the BJP’s “Pol Khol” campaign launched on Monday ahead of the Mumbai civic elections later this year.

Several prominent Mumbai BJP leaders, including party chief Mangal Prabhat Lodha, marched to the Chembur police station and demanded action against those who had pelted stones at the 'Pol-Khol' campaign vehicle.

The campaign vehicle was vandalised by bike-borne assailants on Tuesday. The windshield of the truck, fitted with a giant LED screen to play videos outlining the Shiv Sena’s failure to improve the city’s infrastructure and the rampant corruption and scams, was smashed by unknown people.

“We have given an ultimatum of 24 hours to the police to take action. We have been told that two people have been arrested and three are at large and efforts are on to nab them. But now it is up to the police to show the promptness which is currently under question,” said BJP leader Ashish Shelar.

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While taking a dig at Shiv Sena, Shelar said, “Don’t attack behind our backs. Attack from the front and we challenge you that we are ready for any duel of your choice at any time of the day. I will not take the names of the accused or their leaders. Our only concern is that the accused should be arrested,” he said.

Some BJP leaders alleged that the son of a local leader had a hand in the incident and he should be arrested. “He was celebrating a birthday party yesterday. The police were informed and yet no action was taken,” he said.

BJP's Pol-Khol campaign will have several trucks with LED screens and loudspeakers travelling through Mumbai. The BJP said the incident hasn’t hampered the plan and the party will be more aggressive now.