Kejriwal Targets PM Modi Over Parvesh Verma Slap Row, Demands Minister's Arrest

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma over the alleged slapping of a young man and concerns over the quality of a newly constructed road in Lakhangarh.

Kejriwal linked the two issues to the Prime Minister's outreach to Gen Z, arguing that accountability over the alleged incident and road construction would help him connect with young people.

In a video shared on X, captioned "Modi ji, let me tell you how you can connect with Gen Z? But you won't do this", the AAP leader criticised Modi's attempts to engage with the younger generation through social media and public appearances.

"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. Have you ever thought why? I will tell you why," he said.

Kejriwal's remarks came amid allegations that a road recently constructed under the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government had begun deteriorating shortly after its construction. Referring to videos purportedly showing residents breaking apart the road's surface with their hands, he questioned the quality of the project and raised the alleged assault on Saheb Singh.

"The Rekha Gupta government made a road yesterday in Lakhangarh, and the people there showed how that road is breaking with just their hands. One of your ministers was available there and slapped a Gen Z guy," he said.

Demanding action against those allegedly responsible for irregularities in the project, Kejriwal said the government should prioritise accountability over attempts to reach out to young voters.

"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 added.

The AAP convenor also questioned the role of Delhi Police, alleging that instructions had been issued by senior authorities to protect Verma from action.

"If you save your minister, as I am being told that orders have been given from above to the police to save the minister, and expect that the citizens will connect with you, it won't happen. The citizens of your country expect honesty and straightforwardness from you," he said.

Kejriwal announces Tilak Nagar visit, demands action over road

Separately, Kejriwal told reporters that he would visit Tilak Nagar at 4:30 pm on Monday to address the alleged assault during the minister's road inspection.

The AAP leader reiterated his demand for action against Verma and officials involved in the construction of the road, citing videos that purportedly showed its deteriorating condition.

“I am heading to Tilak Nagar at 4:30 pm regarding this matter. The road they (Delhi government) constructed there was already falling apart, crumbling, as everyone saw in videos yesterday. Meanwhile, one of their ministers actually slapped a young man."

The alleged victim, Saheb Singh, is associated with the team of AAP MLA Jarnail Singh. A video purportedly showing Verma slapping Singh has circulated amid the political controversy.

The incident had also triggered a protest by AAP leaders on Sunday, with the party demanding that an FIR be registered against the minister. Delhi Police detained AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj, MLA Kuldeep Kumar and other party workers during the demonstration.

Verma accuses AAP workers of abusing his family

Verma has rejected the allegations against him, presenting a different account of the confrontation. In a video statement on X, the minister alleged that supporters of Jarnail Singh had verbally abused his family and misbehaved with them.

He also accused the AAP MLA of seeking commissions from officials associated with road projects and warned against attempts to disrupt government work or damage public property.

Verma further claimed that an official complaint and an FIR had already been registered against Jarnail Singh and his associates over alleged obstruction of public works.

The allegations and counter-allegations come amid a political dispute between the AAP and the Delhi government over the road's construction and the alleged confrontation involving the PWD minister.