Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has joined the chorus of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders condemning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the Swati Maliwal assault controversy. Expressing concern over the alleged assault occurring within Kejriwal’s residence while he was present, Sitharaman emphasized the seriousness of the issue, stating, “There cannot be any whataboutery.”
In a pointed critique, Sitharaman called on Kejriwal to apologize and highlighted his association with Bibhav Kumar, the aide accused of the assault. Referring to past incidents involving AAP leaders, including Somnath Bharti’s allegations of assaulting his pregnant wife, Sitharaman questioned the party’s stance on women’s safety. She also criticized the AAP’s failure to field women candidates in Delhi’s Lok Sabha seats.
The AAP has yet to respond to Sitharaman’s remarks. The assault allegations against Bibhav Kumar led to a police case being filed, with charges including assault, criminal intimidation, and outraging a woman’s modesty. Additionally, Kumar received a summons from the National Commission of Women.
Swati Maliwal, the alleged victim and AAP Rajya Sabha MP, broke her silence on social media, describing her ordeal as “very bad” and expressing the challenges she has faced since the incident.
The assault allegations have sparked a political storm, with the BJP intensifying its criticism of Kejriwal, who recently faced arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an unrelated case. The BJP accuses Kejriwal of shielding his aide and demands his resignation. However, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has urged action while leaving the decision to the AAP.
The incident has brought into question Kejriwal’s commitment to women’s safety, further complicating the political landscape in Delhi amid ongoing general elections. As the controversy continues to unfold, calls for accountability and justice resonate across party lines.
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