NEW DELHI: Drawing a clear battle line, the Aam Aadmi Party (
AAP
) on Friday hit out at its party MP
Swati Maliwal
for being hand-in-glove with the BJP, while strongly refuting allegations that chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar either verbally or physically assaulted her on May 13 at the CM’s residence.
In the first official reaction to the controversy, AAP’s Atishi told reporters: “Ever since Arvind Kejriwal has got bail, the BJP is rattled.
Due to this, the BJP hatched a conspiracy, under which Swati Maliwal was sent to Arvind Kejriwal’s house on the morning of May 13.”
Atishi said the
MP
reached the CM’s residence without appointment and “her intention was to level allegations against Arvind Kejriwal”. “Swati Maliwal insisted on meeting Arvind Kejriwal, his aide Bibhav Kumar told her CM is busy; she shouted, tried to barge in,” said Atishi.
“Swati Maliwal was the face and pawn of this conspiracy. They intended to accuse the CM but the CM was not there at that time so he was saved. After that, Swati Maliwal accused Bibhav Kumar,” said Aitishi.
Counter-complaint filed: Atishi
“In her complaint to the police, Maliwal said she was assaulted. The
video
which has come out today shows her sitting comfortably in the drawing room (of the CM house) and threatening the police officials. She was also seen threatening Bibhav Kumar in the video. Neither her clothes were torn nor any injury on her head can be seen in the video,” she added.
On an earlier statement made by AAP leader Sanjay Singh wherein he had promised that action would be taken against any persons found guilty of assaulting Maliwal, Atishi said that Singh had made the remark on the basis of one-sided information.
Atishi further said that Bibhav Kumar has given a complaint to the police against Swati Maliwal.
‘Swati Maliwal ka sach’: AAP shares video
Earlier in the day, the AAP had retweeted a video that purportedly shows party MP Swati Maliwal
arguing
with staff at chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence.
The video was allegedly taken after she was assaulted, though its authenticity has not been ascertained.
In its tweet, the party attached the video, stating: “Swati Maliwal ka sach”.
The retweet of the video by the party was the first indication that it has decided to back Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar over its own MP, who has alleged that Bibhav physically and verbally assaulted her at the CM’s residence on May 13.
Swati’s lies and arrogance: Pandey
AAP leader Dilip Pandey also tweeted the video, stating: “Even the slightest light of the lamp of truth is enough to dispel the deepest darkness of Swati’s lies and arrogance.”
“First, decide who is loyal. Then time will decide who is the traitor? Arvind Kejriwal, Zindabad. We will fight and win,” he said on X.
The video, the authenticity of which has not been ascertained, shows Maliwal in a heated conversation with the staff who are requesting her to move out of the drawing room.
The AAP MP is heard arguing with the staff and asking them to let her talk to the DCP and SHO Civil Lines.
Maliwal then goes on to say that she has already called the police. The AAP MP is also heard threatening one of the staff that she will ensure that he loses his job.
(With inputs from agencies)
