In a startling turn of events, Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and former Chief Minister of Delhi, has been accused of being physically assaulted by members of his own party at his official residence. These allegations were brought forward by Kapil Mishra, a rebel AAP leader and Delhi MLA, who claims that the incident occurred a few days ago following a heated disagreement over party alliances.
According to Mishra’s statements on social media, Kejriwal has not left his residence for the past three days and has conspicuously missed the nomination filings of his fellow party leaders. This unusual absence has fueled speculation and concern among both party members and the public.
Adding weight to these claims, former AAP leader and executive committee member Kumar Vishwas subtly referenced the alleged incident. He advised that while it’s essential for MLAs to communicate public concerns to the Chief Minister, such issues should be presented either orally or in written form. Vishwas emphasized that resorting to physical means to express these demands is inappropriate and undermines the party’s principles.
The political landscape in Delhi has been turbulent recently. Just last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a significant victory in the Delhi state legislature elections, securing 47 out of 70 seats. This triumph ended AAP’s decade-long governance in the capital, during which the party was known for its progressive policies and anti-corruption stance. Both Kejriwal and his deputy, Manish Sisodia, lost their seats in this election. In his concession, Kejriwal acknowledged the BJP’s victory and assured that AAP would serve as a constructive opposition (reported in AP News).
The recent allegations of internal conflict within AAP are not without precedent. In 2017, Kapil Mishra, once a close confidant of Kejriwal, was removed from his ministerial position. Following his dismissal, Mishra leveled serious corruption charges against Kejriwal, including claims of witnessing a ₹2 crore transaction between Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain. Mishra also alleged that Kejriwal deliberately delayed the investigation into a ₹400 crore water tanker scam, which dated back to the tenure of former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. These allegations led to Mishra’s expulsion from the party and sparked widespread debate about the internal dynamics and integrity of AAP’s leadership (reported in Indian Express).
In response to Mishra’s 2017 allegations, AAP leaders launched a counter-attack, dismissing his claims as baseless and suggesting that he was acting at the behest of rival political parties. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia stated that Mishra’s allegations did not merit a response, attributing his removal from the cabinet to poor performance rather than any purported whistleblowing. Party leader Sanjay Singh further insinuated that Mishra was echoing the narratives of opposition parties, thereby questioning his motives and credibility (reported in Indian Express).
The current allegations of physical assault against Kejriwal by his own party members have intensified the scrutiny on AAP’s internal cohesion, especially in the wake of their recent electoral defeat. The party, which emerged from an anti-corruption movement, now faces significant challenges in maintaining its unity and public image. The absence of an official response from Kejriwal regarding these recent claims has only added to the swirling rumors and uncertainty.
As the situation develops, political analysts and the public alike are keenly observing how AAP addresses these internal conflicts and what implications they may have for the party’s future in Delhi’s political arena.
Image credits: PTC News
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