Prashant Bhushan blames BJP affiliated groups for attack on AAP office

New Delhi: AAP leader Prashant Bhushan, who is under fire for his remarks on Kashmir, today blamed the BJP and RSS affiliated organisations for the attack on the party office, saying they were "extremely frustrated with the rise of AAP".

"This incident shows extreme frustration on the part of BJP, RSS and its affiliated organisations with the phenomenal rise of AAP. They are afraid of AAP and fear that it will damage their prospect in the Lok Sabha elections," he told reporters here today.

Prashant Bhushan. PTI

Activists of a right-wing group attacked and vandalised the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters in Kaushambi in UP's Ghaziabad district to protest against Bhushan's remarks on referendum in Kashmir.

This incident, Bhushan said, proves that those parties are ready to use any means, "even going to the extent of vandalism and physically assaulting AAP leaders and supporters."

"This shows their fascist mentality and lumpen behaviour. It is unfortunate to see that a national party like BJP is now resorting to all kinds of violence and unleashing its goons," he added.

Bhushan had recently said a referendum should be carried out in Kashmir to decide on deployment of the army to deal with security threats in the Valley.

However, the Aam Aadmi Party had distanced itself from his views.

On AAP distancing itself from his views on Kashmir, he said, "There can be a difference of opinion within a party. I have already clarified and explained what I meant and there is not much difference in the party's statement. Neither I nor the party has said that Kashmir should be separated from India after conducting a referendum."

Talking about the attack on him in 2011, Bhushan said, he had lodged a complaint with Delhi Police but it "didn't take any action and allowed them to go scott free".

"Two years back, the same people had attacked me in my chamber opposite the Supreme Court. One of the assailants last time was also present this time. Another attacker runs a website and a BJP leader promotes this website," he charged.

Reacting to the incident, Congress leader Kamal Nath said, "I condemn all politics of violence."

PTI