The alleged assault on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a "padayatra" in Delhi?s Vikaspuri area has sparked outrage, with leaders from the INDIA bloc voicing their condemnation and calling for an end to political violence. The AAP has claimed BJP involvement in the incident, further escalating the tensions between the parties.
Leaders from AAP and allied INDIA bloc members took to social media to express their concern and denounce the attack. AAP leaders posted an image of the alleged attacker, claiming he is a BJP member, with supporting screenshots from his Facebook profile listing his affiliation with the BJP. Senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused the BJP of orchestrating the attack, stating, ?If anything happens to Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP will bear full responsibility.? Another prominent AAP leader, Raghav Chadha, defended Kejriwal, stating, ?In all these years, Kejriwal has not earned money but people's blessings. The prayers and blessings of people across the country protect Arvind Kejriwal.?
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also expressed his frustration on social media, implying BJP involvement without directly naming the party. He remarked, ?The news of the attack on Arvind Kejriwal during the padayatra in Delhi is both condemnable and concerning. There is no need to say who might have carried out this attack. Everyone knows whose political principles in Indian politics are violence and hatred. Being violent is a sign of defeat.?
NCP leader Supriya Sule echoed these sentiments, condemning the incident as an attack on democratic values. ?Political violence has no place in India, and it undermines our democratic values. We must ensure the safety of all leaders and reject violence in our political discourse,? Sule stated, urging for restraint and the safeguarding of democratic principles.
The AAP?s claims and INDIA bloc leaders? reactions underscore the tensions as parties ramp up their campaigns for upcoming elections. The alleged assault on Kejriwal has renewed calls from opposition parties to address political violence and ensure leader safety, as well as accountability for orchestrated attacks.
