AAP alleges attacker used spirit not water

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the man threw spirit and attempted to ignite it with a matchstick, however police say the liquid was water, following attack on Arvind Kejriwal during a padyatra in Greater Kailash area of South Delhi on Saturday.

The AAP convenor was marching through Savitri Nagar, Greater Kailash, the party alleged that it was then that a BJP worker threw spirit (an inflammable liquid) on Arvind Kejriwal and attempted to ignite it with a matchstick in an effort to burn him alive.

Bharadwaj said, “The attempt to burn Arvind Kejriwal alive is a reflection of BJP’s desperation as it faces its third consecutive defeat in Delhi.”

“Thousands of people, including women, children, and elderly, had gathered to meet Arvind Kejriwal Ji, bless him, and offer their prayers. As Arvind Ji walked through the streets, greeting everyone, a man attacked him. I was standing right next to him, and the spirit spilled on both of us. My jacket still smells faintly of the spirit,” he added.

Bharadwaj said that the attempt was nothing less than an attempt to burn Arvind Kejriwal alive in the heart of Delhi.

“Within half an hour, we discovered his profile on social media. Senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and even Sangeet Som feature in the photos. Local MLA Bansuri Swaraj is on his friend list. His BJP membership card was also displayed on his profile,” he said.

Old win in new bottle: Delhi BJP

Delhi BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor stated that the incident of attack on Kejriwal is akin to “Old wine in a new bottle.” He said, “Elections are held across the country, and leaders, whether good or bad, participate in campaigns under varying levels of security. However, such bizarre incidents occur only with Arvind Kejriwal during every assembly election.”

“The Delhi BJP condemns all forms of violent protests. However, our president, Virendra Sachdeva, had already remarked that Arvind Kejriwal, now desperate, would orchestrate another spectacle like the past “slap incident.” Today, that suspicion has been proven true,” Kapoor added. — TNS

The AAP MLA highlighted similar incidents — including the Vikaspuri alleged manhandling of Kejriwal.

“Similarly, in Nangloi, BJP goons tried to stop Arvind Kejriwal from meeting Roshan Lal Halwai, whose shop was targeted by gangsters after he refused to pay extortion money.” he added.

Bharadwaj linked the allegations to the deteriorating law and order situation in Delhi. “The BJP’s failure to ensure safety has emboldened criminals. Broad daylight shootings, stabbings, and gang wars have become common, even in posh areas like Greater Kailash. Extortion demands worth crores are being made, and those who refuse are being targeted with bullets.”