Kejriwal ducks questions on Swati Maliwal's assault by his close aide Bibhav Kumar; was spotted with Delhi CM in Lucknow later
16 May 2024 12:00:38
New Delhi, May 16: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal refused to answer and passed the microphone when asked about AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal's assault case in a joint press conference with Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal was allegedly assaulted by Kejriwal's secretary Bibhav Kumar on Monday (May 13). However, Bibhav Kumar was seen accompanying the Delhi chief minister and Sanjay Singh at Lucknow airport, days after the party promised "strict action" against him.
When Delhi CM Kejriwal, who arrived in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow for a press conference with Akhilesh Yadav, was questioned about the controversy surrounding Swati Maliwal, he remained silent and passed the microphone. Subsequently, the Samajwadi Party President spoke and remarked that there are more pressing issues in the country than Swati Maliwal.
Yadav said, "There are other issues that are more important than this..."
Apparently, Bibhav Kumar was seen was spotted with the AAP national Convenor and Sanjay Singh at the Lucknow airport on late Wednesday night.
This came after Sanjay Singh in a press conference on Tuesday accepted that Bibhav Kumar had "misbehaved" with Swati Maliwal at Arvind Kejriwal's official residence and that the chief minister would take strict action in the matter. The statement had come a day after Swati Maliwal had made a police call from the CM's residence and also went to the Civil Lines police station.
Notably, Sanjay Singh met Swati Maliwal on Wednesday however Aam Aadmi Party leaders were mum about Sanjay Singh's meeting with the former DCW chief. The meeting at Swati Maliwal's residence is seen as an attempt to pacify his party colleague who has been with the AAP since its inception.
Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Arvind Kejriwal while sharing a picture of Bibhav Kumar with Arvind Kejriwal on social media platform X.
“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. Sheesh Mahal is Apradh Mahal & just like Draupadi cheerharan - a woman Rajya Sabha MP was subjected to violence , assault Now she is being pressured to keep Silent or change her story as is evident from statements of Naveen Jaihind & Nitin Tyagi of AAP hence she hasn’t approached the police yet. True face of AAP - Anti women anarchist party,” Shehzad Poonawalla said.