Kejriwal punched by youth from Batla House at road show in South Delhi

A 19 years old youth, resident of Batla House, attacked former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal during a road show in south Delhi on Friday. The AAP chief was criticising both Congress and BJP on the issue of increased electricity tariffs. No reasons for the attack have been ascertained yet.

Before reaching Dikshunnagar, where he was punched by a 19-year-old man, Abdul Wahid, he was talking about recent attacks on him in Gujarat and Varanasi. An Aam Aadmi Party member who was close to Arvind Kejriwal, during the attack on his open jeep said, ‘Under the garb of placing a garland on Kejriwal, he got on to an open vehicle and punched him twice in the back.’ Reacting to the attack, Kejriwal said, ‘Let them attack us. We will not retaliate. We should not respond with violence.’ Kejriwal further added that some people will do anything to become PM. 

To garner support for Col. Devendra Sherawat, Lok Sabha candidate form South Delhi constituency, AAP chief held the show from Govind Puri to Lado Sarai via Tuglakabaad, Sangam Vihar, Pushp Vihar and Saket. He did not specifically talk about local issues. He focussed his speeches on AAP’s 49-day stint in government, his counterpart Narendra Modi in Varanasi and electricity tariffs.

Waving a bunch of papers, he claimed that it was the letter sent by Narendra Modi, asking the central government to increase gas prices. ‘Copy of this letter is on our website, which was sent by Narendra Modi to central government for increasing gas prices, in order to make Ambani happy. We have complained to election commission, which has understood the game and stayed the increment till elections,’ said Kejriwal.

He also attacked political parties and the manner in which they use religion to create dissatisfaction. ‘People recognise them (BJP) as protector of Hinduism. They attacked me when I was on the way to temple, in the holy city of Varanasi. Which religion teaches this? How will they save Hinduism,’ Kejriwal asked.

With the crowd of approximately 600 people, one lady supporter, said, ‘If he has left the CM’s chair then there must be some reason. No one can leave just like that’. But shopkeepers on the side of road, listened to his speech, but did not join his white cap wearing supporters. These shop owners said that they are still not convinced by the rationale behind his resignation. ‘We are listening his speech, but still I am not convinced, about absence of government in Delhi today, ’said one of the shopkeeper.