Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed Thursday that Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s residence had been “attacked by BJP goons” – who acted with the support of police personnel meant to ensure the safety and security of Mr Sisodia and his family.
Shocking visuals from videos posted online by Mr Sisodia and AAP leaders Atishi and Raghav Chadha showed dozens of men marching up to the Deputy Chief Minister’s residence and forcing their way past a handful of policemen, at least one of whom had what looked like an assault rifle.
The videos show the mob pushing the police aside – they seemed to surrender to the situation rather meekly – and hammer on the gates till they fly open. As the mob makes its way inside the compound, a handful of police follow them in and try to stop them from proceeding any further.
Mr Sisodia, who was not home at the time, tweeted: “Today, in my absence, BJP goons broke into my house and tried to attack my wife and children. You may have lost the political battle in Delhi but is this how you will respond?”
AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arivnd Kejriwal, launched scathing counter-attacks on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to whom the police reports, and accused him of pulling the strings.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whom the party alleged Tuesday had been placed under “house arrest” after visiting farmers protesting the centre’s new farm laws, tweeted (and tagged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh) that “in a democracy it is worrying to target political leaders”.
“I strongly condemn the systematic, organised and violent attack on Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s home. The goons entered his house in police presence when he was away. Why is BJP getting so desperate by the day in Delhi?” Mr Kejriwal tweeted.
“In a democracy, it is very worrying to target political leaders in this way. In view of the seriousness of the attack on the convoy of the BJP national president, it should be thoroughly investigated and the responsibility of this incident should be fixed,” he added.
Mr Kejriwal was referring to an alleged attack on BJP President JP Nadda’s convoy near Kolkata. Shortly after news of the alleged attack on Mr Sisodia’s house, Mr Shah has since announced a probe into the Kolkata incident.
“This is a black day in Delhi’s political history… the Union Home Minister is using his party goons and Delhi Police to attack the family of AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in his absence from his residence,” Atishi said.
Reacting to the charges, Delhi BJP Vice President Ashok Goel Devraha claimed the AAP was trying to divert attention from a “conspiracy” to kill BJP mayors and other corporation leaders.
Delhi Police has yet to comment on the incident.
