In a joint press conference with INDIA ally Akhilesh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced questions today about allegations made by the BJP against his aide. The BJP accused Kejriwal’s aide of assaulting Swati Maliwal, an AAP MP. Despite conjecture and political back-and-forth, Kejriwal chose to remain silent at the news conference. His colleague, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, stepped out to respond to the claims.
Singh responded to the BJP’s accusations by criticizing the party’s stance on other incidences, such as tribal women paraded naked in Manipur and sexual assault claims against BJP ally Prajwal Revanna. He also praised Swati Maliwal’s work for women’s rights, noting her support for justice-seeking wrestler daughters at Jantar Mantar. Singh emphasized AAP solidarity and encouraged the Prime Minister and the BJP to address the issues addressed without resorting to political maneuvering.
The BJP accused Kejriwal of shielding his personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar, who allegedly misbehaved with Swati Maliwal at the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence. Despite Kejriwal’s release from jail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, the episode has aroused debate amid the ongoing elections. While Swati Maliwal has abstained from making public comments on the incident, BJP leaders have called for punishment against Kejriwal’s assistant and “justice for Swati Maliwal.”
The BJP further claimed that Kejriwal and AAP leaders were seen at the Lucknow airport with the accused assistant, while Swati Maliwal remained unavailable.
