Many AAP leaders and activists, including women, were thrashed by cops during sealing drive protest at Parliament Street on Monday in the Capital, alleged the party while announcing ‘relay hunger strike’ from on Tuesday.

The Delhi Police, however, has denied the allegation. The AAP had called for “Parliament gherao” against the ongoing sealing drive in the national capital and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector. The march started from Patel Chowk Metro Station in the morning and continued till Parliament.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi AAP convener Gopal Rai claimed that 12 of its leaders were injured in the police lathi-charge while scores were detained at Sansad Marg.

“Monday’s police action has proved that the BJP by using force are trying to suppress this issue. But we (AAP) are not going to sit quietly and will continue to raise our voice,” Rai said. Rai said that the party will start a “relay hunger strike” from tomorrow at the Civic Centre urging the Narendra Modi government to bring an ordinance to change the master plan 2021.

Rai said the BJP ruled civic bodies can easily waive off the conversion charges to provide the much needed succor to the traders. He added: “Similarly, the Centre by issuing an ordinance to change the master plan of Delhi can stop the sealing drive in the capital”.

Senior AAP leader Ashutosh, who was also a part of the protest, said that the police action was “unprovoked”.

“The AAP legislators and councillors were protesting peacefully against sealing, however, police for no apparent reason started mercilessly beaten us. We were forced into parliamentary street police station using rope around group of our leaders and volunteers,” he said, adding that the AAP senior leader Dilip Pandey was also injured in the incident.

The AAP Lok Sabha members Sadhu Singh, Bhagwant Mann and Rajya Sabha members Sanjay Singh, Sushil Gupta and ND Gupta also raised slogans near Gandhi statue on Parliament premises against a sealing drive in Delhi, FDI in single-brand retail and disqualification of 20 legislators.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has denied thrashing any AAP leaders and termed the allegation baseless. Delhi Police spokesperson Madhur Verma said the police exercised maximum restrain while dealing with the protesters who were hell bent to march towards the Parliament. Verma said the Delhi Police had designated a place for the protesters after meeting them. However a splinter group of around 50 protesters reached Patel Chowk and wanted to march towards the Parliament.

BJP to meet CM on Tuesday:

Delhi BJP leaders will meet Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday to demand immediate notification of 351 roads pending with the Delhi Government, to discuss ways to stop the sealing drive and to urge the Delhi Government to move the Supreme Court in the matter.

Delhi BJP general secretary Ravinder Gupta wrote to the CM informing him that a delegation of BJP leaders led by Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari will reach his residence to discuss the sealing issue.

“Kejriwal government has been constantly avoiding its administrative and moral responsibility to find a solution to end the ongoing sealing in Delhi,” said a BJP spokesperson.

The delegation will include Delhi BJP MPs, MLAs, the three general secretaries and Mayors of the three Municipal Corporations.