AAP-BJP in new row over ‘death threat’ to Kejriwal

AAP submitted a complaint to Delhi state election commission, seeking the arrest of BJP MP Manoj Tiwari over an alleged conspiracy to kill chief minister Arvind Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday submitted a complaint to the Delhi state election commission against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which it accused of conspiring to kill Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. A five-member delegation of AAP MLAs led by the party’s chief spokesperson, Saurabh Bhardwaj, called on state election commissioner Vijay Dev. “MP Manoj Tiwari has information regarding a murder conspiracy against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, so he should be arrested and interrogated. Tiwari should be asked to reveal the names of people involved in this conspiracy. The election commission has acknowledged that it is a serious matter and information revealed by a senior leader should be thoroughly investigated,” Bharadwaj said.

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal arrives to address a press conference, in New Delhi, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (PTI Photo/Vijay Verma) (PTI11_12_2022_000121A) (PTI)

Bharadwaj said Kejriwal has been attacked by BJP members earlier as well. “I would like to point out that these attacks have happened just before an election. In the earlier attacks, the suspects have been able to get past the safety net set up by the Delhi Police and attack the chief minister,” said Bharadwaj.

Denying the allegations, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, “I am only concerned about the safety of Arvind Kejriwal.”

On Thursday, Tiwari had tweeted: “I am worried about the safety of Arvind Kejriwal ji, because AAP workers and public are angry because of continuous corruption, ticket sale and friendship with rapist and massage episode in jail. Their MLA has also been beaten up. That’s why this should not happen with the CM of Delhi.. Punishment should be given by the court only.”

Bharadwaj said, “Since the model code of conduct is in place in Delhi, we decided to meet the state election commissioner and register a complaint against this conspiracy. The state election commissioner listened to us and accepted that the charges are extremely serious and that they should be investigated. He accepted that it is a serious charge as a senior leader of the BJP has made such a statement against an opposition leader,” said Bharadwaj.

A spokesperson of the state election commission declined to comment despite repeated requests.

The development comes at a time when the AAP and the BJP are engaged in a bitter war of words ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections and Municipal Corporation of Delhi polls.