‘Not your father’s country’: Kejriwal attacks Delhi minister Parvesh Singh over viral slapping video | India News
NEW DELHI: A political row erupted in Delhi on Monday over the alleged slapping of a man during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar, with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal demanding the arrest of Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma and action over alleged corruption in the road project.Kejriwal also raised questions on the quality of a newly constructed road, alleging that portions of the road could be pulled apart by hand. He accused the Delhi government of allowing corruption in the project and said the incident showed the need for action against those responsible. “This is not your father’s country; you cannot slap someone like this,” Kejriwal said while demanding Verma’s arrest.The former Delhi chief minister had also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his outreach to Gen Z, saying the government could connect with young people by demonstrating accountability rather than through social media initiatives. “You do all kinds of drama to connect with Gen Z. Sometimes you make a reel at 12 in the night, sometimes you go to bhajan clubbing, still Gen Z is not able to connect with you,” Kejriwal said in a video posted on X earlier.He alleged that the road constructed under the Rekha Gupta government had begun to crumble soon after being laid and demanded that those involved in the alleged corruption be arrested. “Arrest the minister today. Whoever was involved in the corruption on this road, arrest them. If you do these things, you won’t need to make reels at night or go to bhajan clubbing. They will automatically connect with you,” Kejriwal said.Read more: Kejriwal’s message to PM Modi on how to connect with Gen ZKejriwal also alleged that Delhi Police had been instructed to protect Verma, but did not provide evidence for the claim. He said citizens expected the government to demonstrate “honesty and straightforwardness”.The controversy stems from a video circulated by AAP showing Verma appearing to slap a man during Sunday’s road inspection. The man was identified as Saheb Singh, who is associated with Tilak Nagar AAP MLA Jarnail Singh and handles his social media work. The footage shows Verma pulling down Singh’s mobile phone before appearing to slap him.Verma has rejected the allegations that the incident was simply over questions about road quality. Responding to Kejriwal, he alleged that Singh was an AAP worker who had abused his family during the inspection.Verma also disputed Kejriwal’s description of Singh as a member of Gen Z, calling him a “goon” of the AAP. He said, “Kejriwal ji, the person who came into my round yesterday was not a Gen Z; he was your goon.”
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The minister alleged that Singh had previously been booked in a case involving an MCD contractual employee and claimed that the MLA’s nephew was also named in the case. He further alleged that AAP leaders had sought commissions from officials involved in road projects, claims that were not independently established.Read more: Man slapped by Delhi minister Parvesh Verma was out on bail in MCD worker abduction, assault caseVerma said he would not tolerate obstruction of government work or harassment of officials and contractors. He also claimed that a complaint and an FIR had been registered against the MLA and his associates over alleged obstruction of public works.Meanwhile, a complaint was filed with Delhi Police over the alleged slapping incident. Police were also reported to have confirmed that Singh had previously been booked in an assault case and was out on bail
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