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GV EXT Demonstrators marching through Delhi shouting anti-Gandhi slogans
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SV marchers shouting slogans
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SV Police cordon
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Gv Demonstrators breaking through
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SV Policeman on horse, PAN TO GV police holding back crowd
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Gv Women shouting slogans
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Gv Police vehicle, carrying demonstrators who have been arrested, is driven off (3 shots)
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Opposition to India's ruling Congress party took a new turn this week (18-24 May) when protestors organised rallies with the deliberate aim of provoking their own arrests.

SYNOPSIS: The first demonstration, organised by the Bhartiya Janata party, was held in Delhi on Tuesday (19 May).

The party, an offshoot of the main Janata grouping, held the majority of seats on Delhi local bodies until Mrs. Indira Gandhi returned to power in January 1980. Soon afterwards the local bodies were dismissed and Delhi was placed under central rule.

Now Bhartiya Janata supporters are demanding fresh local body elections -- as well as strong government action against inflation and a worsening crime rate.

To press their demands, the demonstrators courted arrest. As many as 200 of them achieved their aim and were taken away by police. A similar protest was held the next day and party president Atal Bihari Vajpayee will lead a further major rally in New Delhi next Monday (25 May).