BJP MP questions AAP’s ties with NGO linked to school bomb threats

The BJP on Tuesday sharply criticised the AAP following claims by the Delhi Police that a Class XII student, arrested for allegedly sending bomb threats to over 400 schools in the city, is linked to an NGO that supports a political party.

The Delhi Police also suggested that the NGO had previously voiced support for Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. However, it did not specify the political affiliation.

During a press conference, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that AAP had strong ties with NGOs that had opposed Afzal Guru’s execution. He pointed to a 2015 incident when slogans supporting Afzal Guru were raised on his death anniversary, and AAP reportedly took no action for months.

“All of us know that AAP has deep bonds with such NGOs who have opposed Afzal Guru’s hanging. In February 2015, ‘Tukde-Tukde’ slogans were raised on Afzal Guru’s death anniversary and AAP kept the file closed for months,” Trivedi said.

“Who are the people of these NGOs, and are they related to AAP? Delhi CM Atishi’s parents supported the clemency petition of Afzal Guru,” he said. Trivedi demanded AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal to clarify the party’s relationship with the NGO.

“There seems to be a direct connection between these two…Is AAP involved in this? I ask Arvind Kejriwal to come forward and clarify what their relation is with these people. If juveniles are doing this, then what kind of venom are these NGOs injecting into the minds of the children of the country?” he said. “We want a clear answer from AAP,” he said.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the ongoing investigation points to a connection between the NGO, Atishi, Arvind Kejriwal and AAP.

“The direction in which the investigation is taking place, it is no doubt that the NGO, Atishi, Arvind Kejriwal, and AAP are all linked together. The attempt to scare Delhi by sending mails to 400 schools, through a juvenile, is a well-thought-out conspiracy,” Sachdeva stated.

“They have disturbed lakhs of people, and all investigative agencies are put to work. All they want is to create an environment of fear among the people because they want to win the elections,” said Sachdeva.

He further accused Kejriwal of fostering unrest in Delhi ahead of elections. “Kejriwal is the enemy of the country, not just Delhi,” he said.

He also referred to past incidents, such as the North East Delhi riots and the Shaheen Bagh protests, suggesting that such disturbances occur whenever Delhi’s legislative elections are approaching.

“It is not a coincidence that whenever Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections are around the corner, an attempt is made to create a riotous atmosphere and scare Delhiites,” he said.

BJP politicising security issues, says Sanjay Singh

Senior AAP leader and MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday accused the BJP of politicising serious security issues in Delhi ahead of the Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference, Singh criticised BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi for making fabricated claims about a series of bomb threats targeting schools in the national capital. “The Delhi Police Commissioner says nothing, the media cell is silent. Instead, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Smriti Irani and Anurag Thakur are speaking. Why are you indulging in such petty politics over serious issues like law and order?” he asked.