arvind-kejriwal-dodges-questions-on-swati-maliwal-row-bjp-reacts

In a scathing attack, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) directed criticism towards Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his perceived silence regarding the apparent assault on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal. 

 

BJP's national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Kejriwal of exhibiting behaviour akin to that of a "goon" and asserted that the Delhi CM's inaction spoke volumes about his leadership. Kumar, he noted, was photographed with Kejriwal during his visit to Lucknow.

 

Bhatia claimed Kejriwal is the main "criminal" in the complaint that his aide Bibhav Kumar had physically attacked Maliwal at the chief minister's residence, as he cited the telephone call she had made to the Delhi Police to report the matter.

 

While addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Kejriwal refrained from addressing questions concerning the incident, prompting BJP's condemnation.

 

The Aam Aadmi Party convener did not reply to a question about the incident at a press conference he addressed with Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav. 

 

AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who was also there, instead replied, saying his party has already made it stand clear on the issue.

 

Singh then went on to cite the incidents of crimes against women in Manipur, women wrestlers' complaint against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and the Prajwal Revanna case to hit back at the BJP. 

 

"One should not play political game over the Maliwal issue as the AAP has made its stand clear," Singh had said.

 

Singh had earlier admitted to the incident and pledged action. He had also met Maliwal at her residence.

 

Bhatia noted that Singh had acknowledged that a condemnable incident had occurred against Maliwal, saying that Kejriwal was expected to act in a case involving a party colleague. 

"Instead, the accused is travelling with him like a "twin brother", Bhatia said.

 

"This shows Kejriwal has no commitment to justice for women. While the BJP is fighting for justice for an opposition leader," he further added, accusing him of cowardice. 

 

He demanded that the AAP leader should break his silence or resign if he is a coward, Bhatia said.

 

Noting that the woman Rajya Sabha MP has been incommunicado, the BJP leader asked if she has been kidnapped or forcibly kept away from the public eye.

 

He also took a swipe at Yadav over his attempt to downplay the incident by claiming that it is not a big issue. 

 

Targeting the Samajwadi Party, he recalled later SP leader Mulayan Singh Yadav's controversial defence of some men accused of rape by claiming "they are boys, they at times make mistakes".