Thaindian News

Lucknow, March 15 (IANS) Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists were caned in various districts of Uttar Pradesh Tuesday after they clashed with the police, set up road blockades and set ablaze government hoardings.

The workers were observing ‘Virodh Diwas’ to protest against Monday’s cane-charge on BJP workers in Lucknow during demonstrations against the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party’s decision to hold party-less civic polls and indirect elections of mayors.

BJP activists Tuesday protested in several districts, including Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Mau, Kanpur, Azamgarh, Lucknow and Allahabad.

Unruly scenes were witnessed in Kanpur, Mau and Azamgarh, where protestors fought pitched battles with the police when they were prevented from taking out marches.

The activists set afire numerous hoardings and banners publicising welfare schemes initiated by Chief Minister Mayawati.

Over 100 activists were detained in Mau, Kanpur and Azamgarh.

“We would continue to fight against the state government. By allowing the police to use force against us, the state government cannot gag our voices. We would come up with several such campaigns against the BSP in the future,” state BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur told reporters in Lucknow.

“It’s not only the BJP, in fact, other political outfits are also up in arms against the government’s undemocratic stand to end the direct-election of mayors. The decision would only promote money and muscle power to capture mayoral posts,” he added.

The Mayawati government last month passed an amendment to the local bodies law, ending direct elections of mayors and chairmen of local bodies and municipal corporations. The bill is now awaiting the governor’s assent.