Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party claimed on Thursday that the residence of Senior Vice Minister Manish Sisodia had been “attacked by BJP thugs” who, according to the AAP, had acted with the support of police personnel aimed at ensuring the safety of Sisodia and her family.
Shocking footage from videos posted online by Sisodia and AAP leaders Atishi and Raghav Chadha showed dozens of men marching towards the senior vice minister’s residence and pushing past a handful of police officers, at least one of whom he had what looked like an assault rifle. .
The videos show the crowd pushing police aside (they seemed to surrender to the situation rather meekly) and banging on doors until they open. As the mob enters the compound, some policemen follow them and try to stop them from continuing.
Mr. Sisodia, who was not at home at the time, tweeted: “Today, in my absence, BJP thugs broke into my home and tried to attack my wife and children. You (tagging the Union Interior Minister, Amit Shah, reported to by the Delhi police) may have lost the political battle, but is this how he will respond? “
Although the Delhi police have not yet commented on the alleged attack, the BJP wing in the national capital has and insisted that their protest, against a “conspiracy” by the Aam Aadmi Party to kill the BJP mayors and other corporate leaders, it was peaceful.
“We protested in front of the Sisodia residence to make it clear that BJP workers are capable of responding to any challenge,” quoted PTI news agency Ashok Goel Devraha, Delhi BJP vice president.
Meanwhile, AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, launched scathing counterattacks against Shah and accused him of pulling the strings.
Kejriwal, who the party claimed Tuesday had been placed under “house arrest” after visiting farmers protesting the center’s new agricultural laws, tweeted “in a democracy, targeting political leaders is worrying.”
“I strongly condemn the systematic, organized and violent attack on the home of Senior Deputy Minister Manish Sisodia. The thugs entered his home in the presence of the police when he was away. Why is BJP getting desperate every day in Delhi?” Mr Kejriwal tweeted.
“In a democracy, it is very worrying to target political leaders in this way. Given the severity of the attack on the convoy of the BJP national president, it must be thoroughly investigated and the responsibility for this incident must be corrected,” he added. added.
Mr. Kejriwal was referring to an alleged attack on the convoy of BJP President JP Nadda near Calcutta today. Tonight, Mr. Shah announced an investigation into that incident.
“This is a black day in Delhi’s political history … the Union Interior Minister is using his party thugs and Delhi Police to attack the family of AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in his absence from his residence, “Atishi said.
With input from PTI
.
