BJP terms manhandling ‘urban naxalism’

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 20

Dubbing the alleged manhandling of Chief Secretary as “urban naxalism”, the BJP today demanded Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation while the Congress, describing the incident as “administrative and constitutional crisis”, demanded an apology from the Chief Minister.

Led by state unit chief Manoj Tiwari, party workers protested outside Kejriwal’s residence at Civil Lines and Tiwari demanded a high-level inquiry against the Chief Minister and suspension of the legislators involved in the last night’s incident at Kejriwal’s residence.

On the issue veteran, Congress leader JP Agarwal sought Lt Governor Anil Baijal’s intervention and said an all-party meeting should be called in this regard.

“ArvindKejriwal and his Goon MLAs misbehaved and threatened the Chief secretary of NCT Delhi Government last night... another shameful act of @AamAadmiParty Goons... an act of Urban Naxalism... #UrbanNaxaliteKejriwal must Resign (sic),” Tiwari tweeted.

Cong wants CM’s apology

Lashing out at the AAP government, sate Congress president Ajay Maken accused it of “complete failure” and demanded an apology from Kejriwal for the “unruly” behaviour.

“Kejriwal should apologise for this hooliganism which took place before him-AAP Govt is unable to deliver-Beating of Chief Secretary by MLAs in front of CM is another low & is aimed to divert attention from Govt failures! AAP does not know Governance and has failed miserably (sic),” Maken tweeted.

‘Kejriwal must explain’

Condemning the incident, the Swaraj India said the Chief Minister must explain to the people over the allegations of misbehaviour by his party MLAs and suggested the LG should immediately speak to the Chief Minister and sort out the matter.

It termed the ongoing controversy between the AAP and Chief Secretary as “shameful and avoidable”. Party leader Anupam said it is not the first time that such an incident has come to light and that Kejriwal seems to be running a “circus instead of sarkar” while referring to previous such instances of tussle between the ruling party and bureaucrats during appointments of Shakuntala Gamlin and Ashish Joshi, among others.