New Delhi:The Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party went head-to-head Friday with the Delhi Assembly election less than two weeks away. The clash, though, wasn’t over public infrastructure, education, health services, or cost of living in the national capital; it was over the Punjab Police withdrawing additional security cover for AAP boss Arvind Kejriwal.
The police force from the neighbouring state – which is also ruled by the AAP – had been providing the ex-Chief Minister with a security detail, in addition to that from Delhi Police.
But it withdrawn last night after Delhi cops complained to the Election Commission. “Following directions from Delhi Police and Election Commission, we have withdrawn…” Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav said, adding details of any threats would be shared with his Delhi counterparts.
Arvind Kejriwal is assigned a Z+ protection detail, which consists of 63 security officers, including a pilot, escort teams, an inner ring of guards, and search-and-frisk units. In addition, 15 uniformed personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces, or the CAPF, are deployed for his protection.
All of this has led to a furious spat between the two parties. The BJP has accused the AAP of “making an issue out of nothing” and has asked, “Are Delhi cops incapable of providing security?”
The AAP, meanwhile, has accused the BJP – which controls the Union Home Ministry, to which office the Delhi Police answer – of having “forcibly removed” Arvind Kejriwal’s security.
Mr Kejriwal, the party has pointed out, has faced four ‘attacks’ in as many months, including one in Delhi’s Hari Nagar neighbourhood just hours after the Punjab Police escort was removed.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi issued a fierce statement on X, accusing the BJP and its two senior-most leaders – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah – of “playing with the life” of her party leader. She also slammed the EC for being a “mute spectator”.
“Shameful. On the instructions of Amit Shah, Delhi Police today forcibly removed Arvind Kejriwal’s Punjab Police security. And, on the same day, Kejriwal was attacked by BJP goons in Hari Nagar…”
“Do Modi-Shah want to play with Kejriwal’s life? How long will the Election Commission remain silent… on repeated attacks on a leader of a national party,” she asked.
Mr Kejriwal had earlier posted about the alleged attack; on X he said, “Today, in Hari Nagar, the police allowed some opposition candidate’s men to enter my public meeting and attack my car.”