BJP Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari alleged that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan pushed him before his supporters and workers of the ruling party engaged in a scuffle at the inauguration of the Signature Bridge in the national capital on Sunday.
"Amanatullah Khan had pushed me (during the inauguration of Delhi's Signature Bridge), the whole incident took place in the presence of Delhi chief minister (Arvind Kejriwal). I am going to file an FIR over the incident. Khan's bail should be cancelled immediately," Tiwari said.
According to a video shared by news agency ANI on Twitter, Khan is seen pushing Tiwari during the inauguration of Signature Bridge.
The much-awaited Signature Bridge on the Yamuna was inaugurated by Kejriwal and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday evening, and it is set to open for public on Monday. According to the project plan, the bridge, which will reduce the travel time between north and northeast Delhi, will have designated selfie spots.
Tiwari also claimed that the police and Aam Aadmi Party supporters misbehaved with him when arrived at the inauguration of the Signature Bridge.
“I was invited to the inauguration event. I am an MP from here (North-East Delhi). So what's the problem? Am I a criminal? Why has the police surrounded me? I am here to welcome him (Arvind Kejriwal). The AAP and the police have misbehaved with me,” said Tiwari.
According to Tiwari, it was him who had re-started the construction of the bridge after it was stalled for many years.
"In my constituency, I re-started construction of the bridge after it was stalled for many years and now Arvind Kejriwal is organising an inauguration ceremony,” Tiwari said.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: “Unprecedented. Chaos by BJP at Signature Bridge inauguration site. Its a Del govt prog. Police mute spectator. Can LG, being head of Del police, ensure peace and order at Signature bridge inauguration site?”
Aam Aadmi Party leader Dilip Pandey said thousands of people had arrived at the inauguration to celebrate without an invitation card, but Manoj Tiwari was doing “hooliganism”.
“BJP people thrashed AAP volunteers and local people. They have been admitted to a hospital,” said Pandey.
Delhiites will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the top of the bridge, where they will be taken in four elevators with a total capacity of carrying 50 people.
The elevators area likely to be operational in two months, an official said.
He said the bridge will serve as a tourist destination with the 154-metre-high glass box giving a bird's-eye view of the city to visitors.
Announced in 2004, the bridge has missed several deadlines since 2011. The proposal for the bridge, mooted in 2004, received approval of the Delhi Cabinet in 2007. It was initially expected to be completed at a modified estimate of Rs 1,131 crore for the Commonwealth Games, held in Delhi in October 2010.
In 2015, the cost of the project rose to Rs 1,594 crore. Reportedly, the bridge was proposed for the first time as early as in 1997 at an initial cost of Rs 464 crore.
The bridge will share the burden of vehicular traffic currently borne by the Wazirabad bridge.
(With agency inputs)
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