Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his muted response to the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal by a personal staff of the Delhi CM, Bibhav Kumar. Sitharaman’s criticism comes amidst growing outrage and controversy surrounding the incident, which has sparked accusations of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) being anti-women.
In a statement, Sitharaman slammed Kejriwal for his silence on the issue, highlighting that several AAP leaders, including New Delhi Lok Sabha candidate Somnath Bharti, have been accused of attacks against women. She questioned Kejriwal’s silence, considering that Maliwal is his colleague and party member.
Sitharaman further pointed out that Kumar, the accused in the assault case, was recently seen accompanying Kejriwal in Lucknow, despite the serious nature of the allegations against him. This has raised questions about Kejriwal’s own involvement in the matter, further fueling the controversy.
Maliwal has alleged that Kumar slapped her multiple times inside Kejriwal’s residence, leading to her filing a police complaint. The Delhi Police have registered an FIR under various sections, including assault and criminal intimidation, and an investigation is underway.
The incident has caused a political storm, with opposition parties and women’s rights groups demanding strong action against the accused and accountability from Kejriwal. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also sought an action taken report from the Delhi Police and has warned that action will be taken against Kejriwal if his involvement is established.
The controversy is expected to continue to dominate headlines in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the AAP facing intense scrutiny over its stance on women’s safety and the allegations of anti-women behavior within the party.
