The Congress party on Saturday reacted to the arrest of Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in connection with the alleged assault on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal. Congress's senior leader Pawan Khera, without mentioning anything against the Delhi-ruling AAP, stated that the grand old party would stand "with the woman" if any incident of misbehaviour towards them came out.
"Priyanka ji has told about the Congress's stand that the party stands with the woman if any incident of misbehaviour towards woman comes out. Legal proceedings should be followed and facts must come out before everyone," Khera told news agency ANI.
Kumar was arrested earlier in the day from the Chief Minister's residence. His arrest followed a statement given by Maliwal on Friday at Tis Hazari court, where she alleged that Kumar attacked her on May 13 when she visited the CM. According to Maliwal, Kumar slapped her in the face and kicked her in the chest and abdomen.
Addressing the separate incident of Congress and AAP in Punjab, Khera added, "The people have given Congress the responsibility of opposition in the state, that is not a small responsibility but it makes the govt answerable. It would have been a betrayal from the people of Punjab if we had aligned with AAP, here in the state."
BJP Slams Delhi CM After His Aide's Arrest
Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva also criticised the Chief Minister's residence being the location of Kumar's arrest.
"Bibhav Kumar's arrest has been made from inside the residence of CM Arvind Kejriwal which sends a message to people of Delhi that the residence of CM Kejriwal has become a safe haven for goons," Sachdeva was quoted as saying by ANI.
READ | Who Is Bibhav Kumar, Delhi CM's Aide Arrested In Swati Maliwal Assault Case?
AAP On Swati Maliwal's Allegations
The AAP, in response, claimed Maliwal was being "blackmailed" by the BJP due to her involvement in a corruption case.
"Why did she barge in? Why did she land at the chief minister's residence without an appointment? Arvind Kejriwal was busy that day and did not meet her. If he had met her that day, the allegations against Bibhav Kumar could have been levelled against him," Atishi told the news agency PTI.
"The BJP has a pattern. First, they file cases and then threaten to send leaders to jail. Swati Maliwal is facing charges in an illegal recruitment case registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch. An FIR has been registered in the case and is at a stage where she could be arrested," she added.
READ | Delhi CM's Aide Bibhav Kumar Detained By Delhi Police In Swati Maliwal Assault Case