Kejriwal, Akhilesh evade questions on Swati Maliwal assault case
What's the story
During the joint press conference of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, the two leaders sidestepped questions on the assault of Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.
When reporters raised questions on the incident, Kejriwal handed over the microphone to Yadav who dismissed it by stating, "There are more important things than this."
The conversation was then taken over by AAP MP Sanjay Singh.
Context
Why does this story matter?
On Monday, Delhi Police said it received two distress calls from Kejriwal's residence that Maliwal had been assaulted there.
The callers claimed that Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar prevented the former Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson from meeting with the CM—who is out on bail—at his residence and allegedly harassed her.
Separately, Maliwal visited the Civil Lines Police Station following the alleged incident but left without lodging any complaint.
The reason for her decision remains unclear.
AAP's stand
Singh highlights PM's silence on crimes against women
Singh shifted the focus of the conversation to various crimes against women in the country, criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "silence" on these issues.
The AAP leader brought up the incident in which Kargil hero's wife was paraded naked in Manipur, alleged assaults by Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna, the protest of the wrestlers against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Singh also praised Maliwal for supporting the protesting wrestlers.
Twitter Post
Watch: Kejriwal evades question on Maliwal case
#WATCH | Lucknow, UP: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal refuses to answer when asked about AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal's assault case.
— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2024
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav says "There are other issues that are more important than this..." pic.twitter.com/0FDkRiFhrs
AAP's response
Singh visits Maliwal amid assault allegations
On Tuesday, Singh admitted that Kumar "misbehaved" with Maliwal at the CM's residence on Monday.
Describing the incident as "highly condemnable," Singh had said that Kejriwal is aware of the situation and "will take strict action."
"A very distressing incident took place yesterday...Kejriwal had called...Maliwal for a meeting. She was waiting in the drawing room...when...Kumar...misbehaved with her," Singh had added.
Amid this, Singh visited Maliwal at her residence on Wednesday.
Maliwal has not yet commented on the incident.
Political tensions
BJP accuses Kejriwal of shielding alleged assailant
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has accused CM Kejriwal of protecting his aide.
The party has been demanding action against Kumar and staged protests in Delhi calling for "justice for Swati Maliwal."
The AAP is yet to take any action against Kumar.
Separately, on Thursday, the controversy gathered pace after the Delhi CM was spotted with Kumar at the Lucknow airport. Singh was also present with the two.