Row Over 'Insult To Punjabis': Kejriwal Slams Parvesh Verma, BJP Leader To File Defamation Case Against AAP

Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to BJP leader Pravesh Verma to apologize for his remarks against Punjabis. Verma had made comments against Punjab number plates in Delhi.

Delhi Assembly Election 2025: The BJP-vs-AAP war of words is getting uglier by the day. In the latest battle, the AAP has slammed BJP leader and New Delhi seat candidate Pravesh Verma for allegedly insulting Punjabis.

Pravesh Verma, who is fighting Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi elections, had said thousands of vehicles with Punjab number plates are plying Delhi roads. "No one knows what are they doing here ahead of the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi. What could they do that could pose a threat to our safety and security? These vehicles need to be checked."

AAP Slams BJP Over Parvesh Verma's 'Punjab Cars' Statement

Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal slammed the statement, calling it an insult to Punjabis. He demanded an apology from Verma. In a post on X, Kejriwal wrote, "Millions of Punjabis live in Delhi whose families and their ancestors have made countless sacrifices for the country. Millions of Punjabi refugees also live in Delhi who had left everything and settled in Delhi during the difficult period of partition. Their families have also suffered countless hardships".

Kejriwal further wrote in his post, "What the BJP leaders are saying today, they are insulting their martyrdom and sacrifice. I was very pained to hear this statement. Delhi has been developed by Punjabis. By calling Punjabis a threat to the country, the BJP has insulted lakhs of Punjabis living in Delhi. The BJP should apologize to the Punjabis".

After this statement of Pravesh Verma, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also slammed the BJP leader. He said: "Delhi is the capital of the country. People come here from every state. Vehicles of every state ply here. Vehicles of any state can go to any part of the country; there is no restriction on this. The BJP's statement is dangerous, worrying, and insulting to Punjabis. Today, every Punjabi is feeling very hurt and humiliated."

Parvesh Verma To File Defamation Cases Against Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann 

Clarifying his statement, Parvesh Verma said he would file defamation cases of Rs 50 crore each against Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann for their allegations. "I have filed complaints with the Election Commission and the Delhi Police that thousands of cars from Punjab have been roaming in New Delhi for the past one week. Punjab CM, ministers, their MLAs and their party workers are roaming in their private cars that have 'Government of Punjab' stickers pasted on them... They are distributing alcohol, CCTV cameras, and money here," he said.

"AAP knows that they are losing the elections hence they are making false statements against me. I have filed a Rs 100 crore defamation case against Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. I shall use the money for the people of New Delhi assembly constituency," Verma said.