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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating an attack on its national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal. The incident allegedly occurred on Friday evening in West Delhi's Vikaspuri area, during Kejriwal's foot march, or 'padyatra', a common campaign strategy used by Indian political parties to connect with voters. AAP leaders have asserted that the BJP, fearing their loss in upcoming elections, resorted to violence, and further accused the Delhi Police of failing to prevent the alleged assault and subsequently taking no action against those responsible.
Saurabh Bharadwaj, a prominent AAP leader and Delhi minister, issued a strong warning to the BJP, stating that they would be held directly responsible if anything were to happen to Kejriwal. He linked the attack to the perceived failure of the BJP's previous attempts to damage Kejriwal's political standing, including probes by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This statement implies a pattern of aggressive tactics employed by the BJP against the AAP, suggesting a climate of political tension and animosity.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi echoed Bharadwaj's sentiments, accusing the BJP of stooping to 'dirty politics' in their attempt to defeat the AAP in the upcoming elections. She characterized the attack as a deliberate attempt to physically harm Kejriwal, highlighting the potential severity of the situation and the possible involvement of weapons. This statement further escalates the situation, suggesting a high level of concern within the AAP about the BJP's willingness to resort to violence.
Several other prominent AAP figures, including former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and MLA Durgesh Pathak, condemned the attack and levied accusations against the BJP. Sisodia, currently facing allegations of corruption, asserted that the BJP had repeatedly attempted to destroy Kejriwal's political career, failing even after using the ED and CBI, indicating a sustained campaign of political persecution. Pathak highlighted the frequency of attempts to harm Kejriwal and linked the attack to the BJP's desperation to win the upcoming elections.
The AAP has pointed to the timing of the alleged attack, occurring during Kejriwal's padyatra and in the run-up to the February 2025 polls, as evidence of a coordinated attack intended to disrupt their campaign and intimidate their supporters. This raises concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections and the potential for further violence or political intimidation.
The BJP has yet to publicly respond to the AAP's allegations, leaving the political scene shrouded in uncertainty. The lack of a clear response from the BJP raises further questions about their involvement in the alleged attack and whether they intend to deny or address the accusations. This silence adds to the tension and fuels speculation about the true motives behind the incident.
This incident has highlighted the escalating tensions between the BJP and AAP in the lead-up to the 2025 Delhi elections. It raises significant concerns about political violence, the role of law enforcement agencies, and the integrity of the electoral process. The aftermath of this event will likely be closely watched, as it could influence the political landscape of Delhi and potentially serve as a precedent for future electoral campaigns.
Source: ‘If Anything Happens To Him…’: AAP Alleges BJP ‘Goons’ Tried To Attack Arvind Kejriwal