Arvind Kejriwal Office Staffer “Misbehaved” With Swati Maliwal: AAP Leader

New Delhi: 

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal was harassed by party boss Arvind Kejriwal‘s personal assistant – he “misbehaved” with her at the Delhi Chief Minister’s city residence – party leader Sanjay Singh said Tuesday, a day after unconfirmed reports said she had been assaulted by the staffer in question.

Mr Singh called the incident “highly condemnable” and said Chief Minister Kejriwal – who has been hammered by rivals BJP, and on-paper allies Congress, since the news broke, “will take strict action”.

“A very distressing incident took place yesterday morning. Arvind Kejriwal had called Swati Maliwal for a meeting. She was waiting in the drawing room to meet him when Bibhav Kumar came in and misbehaved with her. After this, Ms Maliwal called the police and told them what happened.”

“This is a condemnable incident. Arvind Kejriwal has taken cognisance and has said the strictest possible action should be taken…” Mr Singh told reporters, “Swati Maliwal has done great work for the people and country, and is one of the party’s oldest and senior-most leaders. We stand with her and will deal with this issue seriously, as per Mr Kejriwal’s order. The AAP does not support such behavior.”

“Yesterday, (Swati) Maliwal went to meet Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. While she was waiting, in the drawing room, Bibhav Kumar (the Chief Minister’s PA) misbehaved with her. This is a highly condemnable incident. Mr Kejriwal has taken cognisance and will take strict action…” Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh’s statement has been attacked swiftly by the BJP. The party’s Delhi boss, Virendra Sachdeva, said, “Why were they silent for 36 hours? Where was the Chief Minister? A Rajya Sabha MP… that too a woman… was misbehaved with at Mr Kejriwal’s home and you are taking cognisance only now?”