AAP Says Arvind Kejriwal Home Video Exposes Swati Maliwal "Lie", She Snaps
The Aam Aadmi Party and Swati Maliwal traded bitter barbs Friday evening as each pushed back against the other over the latter's claims - that she was "slapped seven times (and) kicked in the stomach" by Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, while inside the Chief Minister's home.
Atishi(AAP leader ) began the exchange with a sharp attack at a press conference, in which she accused Ms Maliwal of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party to discredit the AAP during the general election.
Ms Maliwal responded shortly afterwards on X (formerly Twitter)
"This goon (seen as a reference to Mr Kumar) is threatening the party, 'If I get arrested I will reveal all secrets'. That is why he is roaming in Lucknow and everywhere seeking shelter..."
Slamming Bibhav Kumar as a 'goon' who had pressured the party into attacking her, she directed her anger towards him.
Earlier, Atishi referred to a 52-second video of Monday's confrontation between Ms Maliwal and staffers at Mr Kejriwal's home - in which she is seen (briefly) and heard arguing with the guards, who repeatedly demand she leave the premises.
The video shows a woman believed to be Ms. Maliwal refusing, threatening the guards with police action, and then daring to be physically thrown out.
Pointing to the video the AAP leader claimed it exposed "plans" hatched by the BJP to target Mr Kejriwal - who was released on bail last week after his arrest in March on corruption charges - days before the Delhi Lok Sabha election.
"Ever since Arvind Kejriwal got bail the BJP has been rattled. Due to this, BJP hatched a conspiracy, under which Swati Maliwal was sent to Arvind Kejriwal's house on the morning of May 13. They intended to accuse the Chief Minister... but he was not there then, so he was saved," she said.
"Swati Maliwal was the face and pawn of this conspiracy..." Atishi declared.
