Lathi-charge on BJP at Home Ministry's behest: LK Advani to Pranab Mukherjee

Agitated over police action against protesting BJP youth wing activists in Delhi on Tuesday, senior BJP leader LK Advani Wednesday complained to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee the orders seem to have come directly from Home Minister P Chidambaram.

Advani, who met Mukherjee in Parliament, told him about the "atrocities" meted out to the activists of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

Sources said Advani, without naming Chidambaram, told Mukherjee such action could not be taken without orders from the higher ups in the Home Ministry. Delhi police comes directly under Chidambaram.

Advani visited the injured in hospital on Tuesday and thereafter demanded an inquiry into the matter. However, the party has now upped its demand and wants Chidambaram's resignation.

The senior BJP leader also told Mukherjee there were reports of Chidambaram telling a section of the media he did not want another "Ayodhya-like incident" and hence the lathi-charge on activists.

Advani told Mukherjee even handicapped activists were not spared by the police during the lathi-charge.

The youth wing activists took the metro train to Parliament and then walked upto Vijay Chowk in small groups, taking the police by surprise.