AAP Claims BJP Conspiracy In Row Over Swati Maliwal

The AAP on Friday pushed back against senior leader Swati Maliwal’s claims – that she was “slapped seven times (and) kicked in the stomach” by Arvind Kejriwal’s aide inside the Chief Minister’s home – and accused her of colluding with the BJP to discredit the party during the ongoing general election.

The AAP’s 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 woman in the video – believed to be Ms Maliwal – refuses, threatens the guards with police action, and then dares them to physically throw her out.

Pointing to the video – which Ms Maliwal has said is being viewed out of context – 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

Atishi claimed the BJP is in cahoots with Ms Maliwal, whom she labelled the “face and pawn of this conspiracy” – and that the “rattled” saffron party had been forced into this move because of the growing popularity of the Delhi Chief Minister and his status in the national political landscape.

“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.

Referring to the video from Monday, Atishi said the 52-second clip underlined the false nature of Ms Maliwal allegations. “In her complaint to the police she said she was assaulted… (but) the video which shows her sitting comfortably and threatening officials… also seen threatening Bibhav Kumar.”

“Her clothes were not torn and there was no injury on her head…” Atishi declared, hitting back at Ms Maliwal’s claim that she was slapped and kicked repeatedly, and suffered injuries.

READ | Amid Swati Maliwal Row, Video From Kejriwal’s Home Is Viral

Atishi’s fierce response came after the AAP and Ms Maliwal fought anew over the video, which was leaked online earlier today. Ms Maliwal hit out at a “political hitman” – an epithet seen by many as referring to Mr Kejriwal, or possibly Bibhav Kumar – who released the clip to “save himself”, while the AAP simply re-posted the video with the terse message, “The truth of Swati Maliwal.”

The party has also dismissed reports Ms Maliwal had been summoned to a meeting by the Chief Minister; Atishi pointed out this evening that Mr Kejriwal was, in fact, not at home.