Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has strongly criticized the withdrawal of Punjab Police security provided to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of endangering his life.
Condemning the move, Atishi also lashed out at the Election Commission (EC) for remaining silent on what she described as “repeated attacks” on a leader of a national political party.
“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? Why is there silence on the repeated attacks on a leader of a national party?” Atishi posted on X on Thursday.
The controversy followed the Punjab Police’s decision to withdraw the security cover for Kejriwal. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav clarified that the move was made after instructions from the Election Commission of India and the Delhi Police.
“We keep on receiving reports regarding threats to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal and share them with the concerned agencies. Following the instructions of the Election Commission of India and the Delhi Police, we have withdrawn the component of the Punjab Police deployed for Arvind Kejriwal’s security,” DGP Yadav told ANI.
Shortly after the withdrawal of security, Kejriwal alleged that individuals associated with an opposition candidate infiltrated his public meeting in Hari Nagar and attacked his car.
“Today in Hari Nagar, the police allowed the opposition candidate’s men to enter my public meeting and then attacked 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 claimed in a post on X.
The AAP leader also expressed dissatisfaction with the Election Commission’s perceived inaction, questioning its role in ensuring the safety of political leaders.
“Big questions are being raised about the Election Commission. The national president of a national party and its leaders are being constantly attacked, and the Election Commission has been unable to take effective action,” Kejriwal added.
Responding to the allegations, BJP leader Parvesh Verma dismissed Kejriwal’s claims as a political stunt designed to garner attention ahead of the upcoming elections.
“@ArvindKejriwal, soon we will see a drama called ‘Hamla Hua’ (attack happened), followed by posters saying, ‘Mujhe Kyon Mara?’ (Why was I attacked?). Elections are near, and Bhai Saheb is writing the script,” Verma said in a post on X.
This is not the first time Kejriwal has alleged attacks during his rallies. Last week, he claimed that BJP workers had targeted him during a campaign event.
The Delhi Assembly elections are set to take place on February 5, with votes being counted on February 8. A total of 699 candidates are vying for 70 assembly seats.
The AAP, which swept the 2015 and 2020 elections with 67 and 62 seats respectively, faces a stiff challenge from the BJP. Meanwhile, the Congress, once dominant in Delhi with 15 consecutive years in power, has struggled to make a comeback, failing to secure any seats in the last two elections.
As election day approaches, the political atmosphere remains charged, with security concerns and accusations fueling the campaign discourse.
