After Aam Aadmi Party national convenor was attacked during his ‘padyatra’ campaign, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday alleged that the man held for attacking Kejriwal wanted to “burn him alive” after throwing spirit on him. He also claimed the attacker was connected with the BJP.
However, Delhi Police has said that the liquid was water and that the person’s attempt was foiled as he was immediately caught by the police staff present there.
Arvind Kejriwal was greeting people standing behind a cordon when the accused man approached him and splashed some liquid on him on Saturday evening at around 5:50 PM. Following this, the security personnel acted swiftly and overpowered him.
“AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal held a ‘padyatra’ in Savitri Nagar area of Greater Kailash. People in huge numbers, including women, elderly, children, came to meet him. Arvind ji was meeting everyone when suddenly a man threw spirit at him and tried to burn him alive… This is a serious matter, “Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said during a press conference.
He further hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party stating that the party was “conspiring” against Kejriwal since it had “sensed its defeat” in the upcoming Assembly polls in Delhi.
“Since Arvind Kejriwal launched his ‘padyatra’, BJP can sense its defeat in the (Delhi) Assembly elections for a third time, which is why they are now conspiring against him,” Bharadwaj alleged.
VIDEO | “AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal held a ‘padyatra’ in Savitri Nagar area of Greater Kailash. People in huge numbers, including women, elderly, children, came to meet him. Arvind ji was meeting everyone when suddenly a man threw spirit at him and tried to burn him… pic.twitter.com/8GXP9PtOtU
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 30, 2024
In the video of the incident, the people at the spot can be seen beating the attacker before he was taken away by the police.
What Delhi Police Said
Delhi Police noted in its statement that the incident took place when Kejriwal’s ‘padyatra’ reached under the Malviya Nagar police station area at around 5:50 PM.
“While shaking hands with the public, suddenly, a person namely Ashok Jha attempted to throw water on Arvind Kejriwal, but he was immediately caught as the police staff was nearby along with ropes. The said attempt was foiled and the person was detained,” the statement read.
It further noted that the alleged person works as a bus marshal at Khanpur Depot. “Further examination of the person is in progress to find out the reasons behind this act,” police said.
Reacting to the attack on Kejriwal, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said: “BJP goons are regularly attacking Arvind Kejriwal. The person who carried out today’s attack (on Arvind Kejriwal) could be seen in pictures with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This shows his closeness with BJP.”
“The BJP has gone crazy as Arvind Kejriwal is raising the issue of law and order in Delhi,” he added.
VIDEO | Here’s what AAP MP Sanjay Singh (@SanjayAzadSln) said on attack on AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal during his padyatra in Delhi.
“BJP goons are regularly attacking Arvind Kejriwal. The person who carried out today’s attack (on Arvind Kejriwal) could be seen in… pic.twitter.com/O4ldo4A88n
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 30, 2024
