Senior BJP leaders on Wednesday condemned the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a Jan Sunvai programme, calling it a “cowardly act” and alleging that it was part of a larger conspiracy by the Opposition to derail her public outreach.
BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay said the assault reflected a dangerous mindset. “The ill intent and hatred with which the Delhi CM was attacked is cowardly. The people of Delhi will never forgive such a mindset. Rekha Gupta is serving the people tirelessly and will not be scared or silenced by such attacks,” he said in a video message.
Former BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri alleged that the incident was politically motivated. “This was done as part of a conspiracy to stop Rekha ji from meeting the public. The Opposition is frustrated with her outreach. I am certain the probe will reveal that the accused has links with Congress, AAP or communist parties. This incident is highly condemnable,” he told ANI.
BJP MP Rekha Sharma termed it an attempt to intimidate the Chief Minister. “It is shocking that someone attacked a CM during a Jan Sunvai. It seems to be an effort by those unhappy with her work to scare her. But Rekha Gupta will not be threatened into silence,” she said.
Delhi Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh claimed that the accused had carried out a recce of Gupta’s Shalimar Bagh residence for 24 hours before the attack. “He spent the night in Civil Lines and attacked as soon as he approached her, without carrying any Jan Sunvai papers,” he said.
Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa added that the accused had also recorded videos of Gupta’s residence. “The attacker’s intent was clear. He had no grievance papers with him. Videos of his surveillance were found on his phone. However, the CM is stable, and Jan Sunvai will continue. Governance in Delhi will not stop,” he said.
Delhi Police identified the accused as Rajesh Khimji, a resident of Rajkot in Gujarat, and said his identity and address were being verified.
