Swaraj Abhiyan, an organisation led by Yogendra Yadav and activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan today claimed that the police did not allow them to carry out a public debate they had planned ahead of the MCD by-poll in Wazirpur here.
"We had organised debate of the four candidates who are willing to contest Wazirpur by-polls and this was our third day of the debate. But the police did not allow us to conduct the debate saying we did not have prior permission.
"We told them that we have been doing this for the past two days. After arguing, they allowed us to continue with the programme. But when we started using the mike they again stopped us," Anupam, Swaraj Abhiyan's media coordinator said.
DCP (Northwest) Vijay Singh, however, said "There was some confusion initially but the programme was allowed, subjected to terms and conditions in view of law and order issues".
The organisation is planning to present the Wazirpur by- poll on the lines of US primaries, which includes debates among the candidates.
The organisation has short-listed four candidates--Sujata Gupta, Amanjyot Kaur, both related to the organisation, and social activists Pankaj Gupta and Ashok Sharma-- and has been conducting debates among four for the past two days.
It was also supposed to declare the candidate it will back for the poll after people choose their 'lok ummidwar'.
"Many are yet to vote and have asked for some more time. We will now be declaring the candidate we are supporting on Sunday," Anupam added.
Swaraj Abhiyan is not yet a political party, but will announce its decision about this in 2-3 months.
The probable candidates had earlier debated on the issue plaguing the Wazirpur ward like the menace of mosquitoes in parks to parking woes in Keshavpuram area.
The organisation has also roped in services of former Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh Noor Mohammad.
