Bibhav Kumar, accused of assaulting Swati Maliwal, seen with Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was seen at Lucknow airport on Wednesday with his aide, Bibhav Kumar, who is accused of assaulting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal. AAP leader Sanjay Singh was also seen at the airport. Kejriwal is visiting Lucknow with his entourage for a joint press conference with Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday. Both the AAP and the SP are members of the opposition bloc, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
Why does this story matter?
The sighting came after the AAP promised to take strict action against Kumar for allegedly assaulting and misbehaving with Maliwal at the CM's residence on Monday. That day, the Delhi Police said it received two distress calls from Kejriwal's residence that Maliwal had been assaulted there. Following the incident, Singh stated that Kejriwal has taken cognizance of the matter and has ordered the strictest possible punishment.
BJP demands action, AAP MP's meeting sparks speculation
Amidst increasing pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for action against Kumar, Singh met with Maliwal. However, no details about this meeting have been disclosed by AAP leaders. The police also stated that they had not received any formal complaint from Maliwal in this regard. Meanwhile, the BJP continues to demand transparency from Kejriwal and punitive measures against those found guilty of misconduct.
BJP spokesperson criticizes Kejriwal's inaction on social media
On Thursday morning, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to social media platform X to criticize Kejriwal for allegedly protecting Kumar. Poonawalla wrote, "72 hours. No FIR on Bibhav Kumar instead Kejriwal is protecting him! Roaming around with him.. It is clear- attack on Swati Maliwal was done at behest of Kejriwal himself." He further accused the AAP of being an "Anti women anarchist party." BJP leader Tajinder Bagga also questioned Kejriwal's inaction against Kumar on the same platform.
