Delhi CM Atishi accuses Modi and Shah of endangering Arvind Kejriwal’s life, questions Election Commission’s inaction amid alleged attacks.
New Delhi, January 24: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi strongly criticized the Punjab Police’s decision to withdraw security for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of jeopardizing Kejriwal’s safety.
Atishi also questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI), calling it a “mute spectator” despite repeated alleged attacks on the AAP leader.
“Shameful. On the instructions of Amit Shah ji, @DelhiPolice today forcibly removed @ArvindKejriwal ji’s Punjab Police security. And on the same day, Kejriwal ji was attacked by BJP goons in Hari Nagar. Does Modi-Shah want to play with Kejriwal’s life? How long will the Election Commission remain a mute spectator?” Atishi posted on X.
Punjab Police Explains Security Withdrawal
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav clarified that the decision to withdraw Punjab Police personnel assigned to Kejriwal’s security followed instructions from the ECI and Delhi Police.
“We keep receiving reports regarding threats to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, which we share with the concerned agencies. Following instructions from the Election Commission and Delhi Police, we have withdrawn the Punjab Police component for Kejriwal’s security,” DGP Yadav told ANI.
Kejriwal Alleges Car Attack at Hari Nagar Rally
Earlier in the day, Arvind Kejriwal alleged that individuals associated with an opposition candidate infiltrated his Hari Nagar rally and attacked his car.
“Today in Hari Nagar, the police allowed the opposition candidate’s men to enter my public meeting and attack my car. All this is happening on Amit Shah’s orders. Amit Shah has made the Delhi Police the personal army of the BJP,” Kejriwal said on X.
Kejriwal further criticized the Election Commission for its inaction.
“Big questions are being raised about the Election Commission. The leader of a national party is being repeatedly attacked, yet the EC has failed to take effective action,” he added.
BJP Responds, Calls Incident a Drama
BJP leader Parvesh Verma dismissed the allegations as a publicity stunt, sarcastically commenting on X:
“@ArvindKejriwal soon we will bring a drama ‘Hamla hua’ (attack happened), then posters will be printed – ‘Mujhe Kyon Mara?’. Elections are near, Bhai Saheb is writing the script.”
Background on Security Concerns
This is not the first time Kejriwal has claimed attacks during his rallies. Similar allegations were made during his campaign last week, further fueling the debate on political security in the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly elections.
Upcoming Elections
The Delhi Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on February 5, with votes counted on February 8.
- A total of 699 candidates are competing for 70 assembly seats.
- The AAP dominated the 2015 and 2020 elections, securing 67 and 62 seats, respectively, while the BJP won only 3 and 8 seats.
The Congress, once a dominant force in Delhi for 15 years, has failed to secure a single seat in the last two elections.