Arvind Kejriwal's First Reaction On Maliwal's Assault Case: Plans To Visit BJP HQ With AAP Leaders

In his first reaction to the Swati Maliwal case, without naming the Rajya Sabha MP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the BJP government of singling out individuals from the Aam Aadmi Party one by one for arrest, with his personal assistant Bibhav Kumar being the latest target.

Kejriwal asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party cannot be "crushed" and declared defiantly that he and all his senior leaders would go to the BJP's headquarters in Delhi at noon on Sunday, where they could be arrested collectively if the ruling party desired.

Photo Credit: PTI

In a video message delivered in Hindi on Saturday, Kejriwal highlighted, "You are witnessing how these individuals have been targeted by the Aam Aadmi Party. Successively, our leaders have been incarcerated. They imprisoned me, (former deputy chief minister) Manish Sisodia, (former minister) Satyendar Jain, (Rajya Sabha MP) Sanjay Singh, and today they have apprehended my personal assistant."

The Aam Aadmi Party chief, currently on interim bail until June 2 for Lok Sabha poll campaigning, alleged that the BJP intends to detain his party's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who recently returned from London after undergoing eye surgery and had met him earlier in the day. He asserted that Delhi Ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi are also being targeted by them.

Kejriwal Responds to Arrests: Birth of New Leaders Amid AAP-BJP Clash

Repeatedly emphasized by Mr Kejriwal, the AAP's alleged crimes include the establishment of excellent government schools, mohalla clinics, and the provision of free and uninterrupted electricity, which the BJP would allegedly fail to replicate.

With folded hands, it was stated, "The game of arresting people one at a time is being played by you. Tomorrow, the BJP headquarters will be visited at noon by all senior leaders, MLAs, and MPs. Jail whoever you wish, all at once. The belief that the AAP can be crushed by incarcerating its leaders is misguided; such attempts will not succeed."

It was added, "The Aam Aadmi Party is a thought embraced by people nationwide. For each AAP leader imprisoned, hundreds of leaders will emerge."

Earlier on Saturday, Bibhav Kumar was arrested for allegedly assaulting Ms. Maliwal at the chief minister's residence on Monday. Mr Kumar was accused by the Rajya Sabha MP of kicking her in the chest, stomach, and pelvic area, as well as brutally dragging her and pulling her shirt up.

The issue has sparked a political storm, with both the BJP and the AAP trading accusations about their treatment of women. Ms. Maliwal, associated with Mr Kejriwal for two decades, is also engaged in a battle with the AAP, which alleges that she is being manipulated as a political pawn by the BJP.