Arvind Kejriwal slapped during roadshow in Moti Nagar, AAP calls it ‘opposition-sponsored attack’

#WATCH: A man slaps Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during his roadshow in Moti Nagar area. (Note: Abusive language) pic.twitter.com/laDndqOSL4

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2019

The incident happened when Kejriwal was waving to the people who had gathered during his roadshow. A man, wearing a maroon-coloured shirt, climbed on his car and slapped him on his face.

Calling it another “negligence” in the security of the chief minister, AAP said the “Opposition-sponsored attack” won’t be able to stop the party in Delhi.

Another negligence in the security of CM @ArvindKejriwal.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal got attacked during the roadshow. We condemned this cowardly act. This opposition sponsored attack cannot stop the Aam Aadmi in Delhi.

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) May 4, 2019

“Another negligence in the security of CM Arvind Kejriwal. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal got attacked during the roadshow. We condemned this cowardly act. This opposition sponsored attack cannot stop the Aam Aadmi in Delhi,” AAP tweeted.

As a chief minister, Kejriwal enjoys Z-plus security with 25 policemen guarding him round-the-clock.

Police said the man had been taken into custody and an investigation into the matter was underway. PTI quoted DCP (West) Monika Bhardwaj as saying that the man had been identified as Suresh (33), who deals in spare parts at Kailash Park.

Today’s attack on @ArvindKejriwal is an indicator of levels to which BJP can stoop! They did the same thing before 2015 Delhi elections. In 2015, AAP won 67/70 seats and these attacks by BJP will ensure that AAP gets 7/7 seats in Delhi! #BJPScaredOfKejriwal

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) May 4, 2019

AAP East Delhi candidate Atishi said the attack on Kejriwal was an indicator of levels to which BJP can stoop. “They (BJP) did the same thing before 2015 Delhi elections. In 2015, AAP won 67/70 seats and these attacks by BJP will ensure that AAP gets 7/7 seats in Delhi,” Atishi said.

Coming out in support of her Delhi counterpart, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the attack on opposition leaders signals that the BJP had lost the Lok Sabha election and have become desperate.

“Political vandalism. Political goondaism. Political vendetta. Maligning and attacking Oppn leaders show that BJP have lost the election and are making desperate attempts. We condemn the attack on Arvind Kejriwal We are all with you, Arvind,” Banerjee said.

Political vandalism. Political goondaism. Political vendetta. Maligning and attacking Oppn leaders show that BJP have lost the election and are making desperate attempts. We condemn the attack on @ArvindKejriwal We are all with you, Arvind

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 4, 2019

Previous attacks on Arvind Kejriwal

However, this is not the first time that the Delhi CM has been attacked and earlier too ink and eggs have been hurled at him. In February, Kejriwal’s car was “attacked by BJP workers” while the CM was on his way to inaugurate development work in 25 unauthorised colonies in Narela.

A woman had also thrown ink on him at a gathering at Chhatrasal Stadium.

In November last year, a man threw chili powder at Kejriwal outside his office in the Delhi Secretariat. While the CM’s spectacles broke in the ensuing melee, he was not injured in the attack.

Then, too, officials had accused the Delhi Police of being lax in providing security to Kejriwal. AAP had also alleged that water bottles were thrown at Kejriwal at the inauguration ceremony of Signature Bridge last year.

In 2016, a man had thrown a shoe at Arvind Kejriwal when he was announcing the details of the Phase 2 of the odd-even scheme.

Later that year, a woman had also thrown ink on him at a gathering at Chhatrasal Stadium while Kejriwal was thanking civil defence volunteers and officials for “making the odd-even policy successful”.

In 2014, an autorickshaw driver had slapped Kejriwal while he was campaigning for the Delhi Assembly elections in Sultanpuri. Kejriwal had suffered a black eye at that time.