In a shocking incident on Saturday, a person attempted to throw a flammable liquid at Arvind Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister of Delhi and National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), during his ongoing padyatra in the Greater Kailash area of Delhi. The attack occurred while Kejriwal was engaging with the public as part of his campaign to connect with voters ahead of the upcoming elections.
The accuesd, whose identity remains undisclosed, tried to carry out the attack while Kejriwal was walking through Savitri Nagar, where a large crowd had gathered to meet the leader. According to eyewitnesses, the individual threw a liquid—believed to be spirit—at Kejriwal with the intention of setting him on fire. He was reportedly holding a matchbox in his other hand. However, quick intervention by Kejriwal’s security detail thwarted the attempt, preventing the liquid from making contact with the leader.
Security response and investigation
The security personnel immediately apprehended the attacker, subduing him before he could carry out the full extent of the attack. The assailant was quickly handed over to the police for questioning. No injuries were reported, and Kejriwal's safety was ensured due to the swift actions of his security team.
Delhi Police have launched an investigation to determine the motive behind the attack. Authorities are reviewing the circumstances and any potential political or personal motivations that may have led to the incident. While the identity of the attacker remains under investigation, the attack has raised concerns over the safety of political leaders, particularly during public campaigns where large gatherings are common.
AAP ministers speak out
Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, addressing the media after the incident, described the situation in detail. "Arvind Kejriwal was on his padyatra in the Savitri Nagar area of Greater Kailash when a person suddenly attacked him," Bharadwaj said. "The person threw spirit on him, attempting to burn him alive. He had spirit in one hand and a matchbox in the other. Thanks to the vigilance of our workers and the people around, the attack was foiled, and the person did not succeed in his task."
Bharadwaj also pointed out that the attack appeared to be politically motivated, though he did not provide concrete evidence at that point. The AAP leader further emphasized that Kejriwal’s commitment to engaging with the public and continuing his padyatra would not be deterred by such incidents.
Political fallout and alleged BJP links
The attack on Kejriwal quickly became a political flashpoint, with AAP leaders pointing fingers at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Bharadwaj raised suspicions, citing the assailant’s social media profile, which allegedly indicated strong affiliations with the BJP. "We have accessed his social media, where he follows prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," Bharadwaj said. "We even found a BJP ID card on his profile, which suggests that he is an official member of the party."
As of now, there has been no official statement from the BJP regarding the allegations. The political rivalry between AAP and BJP has been intensifying in recent months, particularly with Kejriwal’s growing prominence ahead of Delhi's upcoming elections.
This is not the first time Arvind Kejriwal has been targeted. In 2016, the AAP leader was attacked with ink during a visit to Bikaner, Rajasthan, where he had attended a condolence meeting for a local AAP leader. Since his political debut in 2013, Kejriwal has been the victim of several such attacks.
Kejriwal is currently leading a padyatra to connect with the public and promote the AAP's agenda ahead of the 2025 Delhi elections. The padyatra is a key component of his campaign strategy, as he seeks to engage voters across the city.
On Friday, during his campaign, Kejriwal also announced that registration for the Rs 1,000 monthly honorarium for women under the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana' would begin soon.
