New Delhi: An Aam Aadmi Party worker died in Delhi late last night after bullets were shot at an open car of the party's MLA from Mehrauli, Naresh Yadav, while he was returning from a temple following his win in the assembly election. Another worker has been injured. The MLA escaped unhurt.
In photographs before the firing, the volunteer, Ashok Mann, was standing behind the AAP leader and flashing a victory sign as he smiled at the cameras.
Three people were allegedly involved in the firing and one has been detained. Police sources said the man has confessed to the firing and said the motive was to kill Ashok Mann and his nephew Harender who was injured. He said he was not targeting the AAP MLA.
"Shots fired at AAP MLA Naresh Yadav and the volunteers accompanying him while they were on their way back from temple. At least one volunteer has passed away due to bullet wounds. Another is injured," the party tweeted from its official handle.
"Volunteer Ashok Mann has passed away in the attack at AAP MLA Naresh Yadav. Today we have lost one of our family member. May his soul rest in peace," it added.
At around 10:30 last night, Naresh Yadav was in south Delhi's Kishangarh village. He was standing in an open car with his supporters as he left the temple when unknown persons opened fire at the car. Mr Yadav said there were celebratory fireworks in the area when his car was passing and initiallu thought the sound was that of the fireworks. When he realised that his car was shot at, the MLA was moved to another car.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Mr Yadav demanded that police should thoroughly check the CCTV footage to identify the assailants who shot at his convoy.
"The incident is really unfortunate. I do not know the reason behind the attack but it happened all of a sudden. Around 4 rounds were fired. The vehicle I was in was attacked. I am sure if the police probes properly, they will be able to identify the assailant," Naresh Yadav was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Mr Yadav added that he could have been killed.
"Two people were shot, in which Ashok Mann-ji has died and Harender-ji was injured. I do not know whether they attacked me in particular but they certainly targeted our convoy. Anybody could have been shot in this attack including me," he said.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has raised questions on law and order of the national capital.
"The brazen murder of Ashok Mann after an attack on Mehrauli MLA Naresh Yadav- this is the rule of law in Delhi, Naresh Yadav was returning from a temple," AAP leader Sanjay Singh tweeted in Hindi.
Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party surged to power in Delhi for a third term, boosted by a massive mandate of 62 seats - just a shade lower than its record 67 seats of 2015. The BJP won 8 seats.The Congress failed to open its account, second time in a row.