"PM making reels, attending ‘bhajan clubbing’, minister slaps youth”: Kejriwal urges action against Verma over slapping row
Arvind Kejriwal urges PM Modi to arrest Minister Parvesh Verma and engineers following allegations of assault during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following an alleged incident where Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma reportedly slapped a youth during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar.
Kejriwal, who announced his intention to visit the site in Tilak Nagar, urged the Prime Minister to take immediate action against both the Minister and the engineers responsible for the construction of the crumbling road infrastructure.
Kejriwal Targets PM's Outreach to Gen Z
In a pointed critique, Kejriwal suggested that the Prime Minister's recent efforts to connect with the younger generation are being undermined by the conduct of his ministers. He noted that while the Prime Minister engages in social media trends and cultural events, his administration is facing serious allegations of misconduct.
"On one hand, the Prime Minister is trying to woo Gen Z, making Reels and attending 'bhajan clubbing' events, while on the other, his own minister slaps someone, and the Prime Minister takes no action," Kejriwal remarked. He added that such incidents would prevent the youth from supporting the Prime Minister's initiatives.
The Alleged Incident in Tilak Nagar
The controversy stems from an incident involving Saheb Singh, an associate of AAP MLA Jarnail Singh. According to Singh, the confrontation occurred while he was livestreaming the poor condition of a stretch of the Outer Ring Road. Singh alleged that when he questioned the quality of the road, the Minister reacted violently.
"Parvesh Verma had no idea he would be exposed. He did not expect the reality of the road to come to light. At that moment, the MLA picked up a piece of the road, and it crumbled in his hand like a 'papad'... he couldn't handle it. He snatched my phone, twisted my arm, and slapped me," Singh alleged.
Legal representative Mankan Deep Singh Bammi further claimed that Verma assaulted Singh specifically because he was raising questions regarding alleged corruption in road construction projects. Bammi also alleged that during the encounter, Singh was pushed and kicked by others accompanying the Minister.
Conflicting Versions and Political Fallout
While AAP leaders have staged protests demanding an FIR, Parvesh Verma has denied all allegations of assault. In a statement released via X, Verma claimed that AAP workers had misbehaved with his family and used abusive language.
Verma further alleged that the AAP MLA had demanded commissions from officials involved in government projects. He asserted that an official complaint has already been registered against the MLA and his associates for obstructing public work.
The political tension has escalated significantly, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticizing the BJP-RSS over the alleged slapping incident and recent instances of police action against protesters.