AAP MLA Alka Lamba injured in attack, her party blames BJP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Alka Lamba was attacked on Sunday during an anti-drugs campaign in north Delhi's Kashmere Gate area and sustained head injuries. Lamba started her anti-drugs drive around 5 am and was standing in front of Shiv Mishthan Bhandar, allegedly owned by a BJP MLA, when a man in the shop hurled a stone at her, national spokesman of AAP, Sanjay Singh, said at a press conference. The Chandni Chowk MLA received head injuries and was rushed to Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital, where she she was discharged after treatment.

Despite the attack, Lamba said that she will continue the drive till August 15. Meanwhile, the Delhi's ruling party said it suspected involvement of BJP MLA O P Sharma in the attack, a charge dismissed by the BJP.

"Why will a man working at a shop attack her? Police should probe role of the BJP MLA as the shop is owned by him. There have been many instances where political leaders' names are linked with drugs business. Drug peddling could not thrive without the involvement of local leaders and police," Singh said.

Police have arrested the man identified as Jitin. "We have received a complaint from MLA following which an FIR was registered," a senior police officer said.

Meanwhile, Delhi unit of BJP has condemned the attack and rejected the allegation that Sharma was behind it. The AAP also announced that it will take the anti-drugs drive from Delhi to Punjab. "Party will hold 49 public meeting from September 1 to 10 in Punjab on the issue of corruption and drugs," Singh said.

Lamba said that she had kept police informed about the drive.

"During the meeting, women voiced concerns over increasing drugs consumption in public. We started the drive at around 5 am from Yamuna bazaar and gathered at Hanuman temple. People raised various cleanliness and encroachment issue along with consumption of drugs," Lamba said.

"At around 6:30 am when we were standing in front of the sweet shop a man threw a stone which hit my head and I started bleeding. He was immediately arrested by cops who were present during the drive," Lamba said.

Lamba said that SHO responsible for her security has admitted failure on his part.

"Four policemen reached around 6:30 am who were with us during the drive. I was attacked in presence of them. SHO admitted failure on their part as despite prior information of the program and in presence of cops I was attacked," Lamba said. However, Lamba said that DCP and SHO of the area have assured that police will give full support to the drive.

AAP leaders claim the intention was not to attack AAP MLA from Chandni Chowk but to attack the campaign.

"Vested interests of many people like drug peddlers and sweet shops owners who distribute food among addicts waiting outside the temple in exchange of money was challenged through this drive. There are around 2,000 addicts living in the locality," she claimed.

Meanwhile, BJP condemned the attack on Lamba and said there is no involvement of OP Sharma in the incident.

"We condemn the incident. But, even if they (AAP) sneeze, they suspect role of BJP behind it. O P Sharma has no involvement in the attack. The shop is owned by one of his brother not by Sharma. They are not in talking terms as his brother has filed few property related cases against him," a Delhi BJP spokesperson said.