DELHI: A person has attacked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with chilli powder inside the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday. The incident took place around 2 pm when the AAP convenor left his chamber to have lunch. According to sources, a man, identified as Anil Kumar, approached Kejriwal to talk to him and threw chilli powder in his eyes after getting close. Kejriwal's spectacles broke but his eyes seemed to have been spared any damage in the assault. A sachet of chilli powder was also found outside chief minister's chamber in the Secretariat.

The attacker also threatened to shoot the chief minister, sources said. "After attacking the chief minister, he shouted that he will kill him and that he has already announced the same in a Facebook post," they said. The police have detained the attacker.

The AAP has slammed the Delhi police for lapses in Kejriwal's security.

"I was right behind Arvind Kejriwal at the Secretariat when he was suddenly attacked, on the third floor right outside his office. Shocking lapse of security. Is this Delhi Police's incompetent effort to protect an elected CM?" AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadha said.

"While today just the CM's glasses fell to the floor and broke, an unacceptable security lapse nonetheless. Imagine if the attacker were to be wielding a more dangerous weapon. Who were to have prevented a tragedy from occurring?" he asked.

WATCH THE VIDEO SHARED BY ANI BELOW


Chadha claimed the attackers are being provided full impunity by the Delhi Police and that it has no intention to take firm action against the attack on Kejriwal.

Another AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj blamed the BJP for the attack. "Rogue elements who are attacking the Arvind Kejriwal are backed by the BJP. They wanted to attack the Chief Minister even on the inauguration of Signature Bridge," he said.

Bharadwaj alleged that the Narendra Modi government was giving protection to criminals.

The BJP said the attack was planted by Kejriwal himself to stay relevant in politics ahead of elections.

"Arvind Kejriwal plants such attacks on him before elections. Those who have attacked him in the past have joined the AAP. I am waiting for his upcoming tweet where he will blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the attack inside Delhi Secretariat," BJP spokesperson Tajinder Bagga said.