The 30 former Indian Police Service (IPS) officers claimed in a three-page letter that Arvind Kejriwal made “certain distasteful and inconsiderate remarks” to the police officer assigned to his security when he offered to accompany him.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused of “boorish behaviour”
A group of former Gujarat police officers accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of “boorish behaviour” and attempting to score political points at the expense of Gujarat police, citing his recent encounter with security guards during an auto ride in Ahmedabad. The officers have requested that President Droupadi Murmu intervene.
In turn, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claims that it is “gaining ground exponentially” and that the BJP is “clueless on how to deal with AAP,” which is why such a letter was written.
“The BJP is clearly behind this letter. The BJP’s chances in Gujarat in the upcoming elections are bleak. Their own leaders are completely discredited and lack mass appeal. That is why the BJP has enlisted the assistance of some retired police officers “In response to Mr Kejriwal’s allegations, the AAP issued a statement.
Events leading to the distasteful encounter
On September 12, Arvind Kejriwal had dinner at the home of an auto driver while campaigning in the state for the upcoming elections. He had been picked up from the five-star hotel where he was staying by his host.
The 30 former Indian Police Service (IPS) officers claimed in a three-page letter that Mr Kejriwal made “certain distasteful and inconsiderate remarks” to the police officer assigned to his security when he offered to accompany him.
“By claiming that Gujarat police officials are a blot on the State’s security, Arvind Kejriwal sought public validation and praise, albeit at the expense of the police forces,” the officers added.
Compromise was made
According to reports, the heated argument that erupted prior to the journey was followed by a compromise. A police officer sat beside the auto driver, and the vehicle was escorted by two police cars.
Before Mr Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party won the state elections, former police officers cited a similar incident in Punjab. The letter stated that the Delhi Chief Minister had requested a “withdrawal of security” at the time.
“It is worth mentioning that, soon after the election, Mr. Kejriwal, in a completely contradictory stance, is quick to cite “threat perception” and allege that the country’s police forces do not provide him with adequate protection,” the letter continued.
“We assert that Mr. Kejriwal intended to portray himself as a political martyr through his distasteful words and actions; however, in doing so, he has unfairly created a spectacle of the police force not only in the State of Gujarat, but also across the country,” the letter continued.
BJP chastises Mr. Kejriwal
Mr Arvind Kejriwal has been chastised by the BJP over the issue. The Delhi BJP attempted to “gift” him five auto-rickshaws days after the incident.
“He has a convoy of 27 vehicles and 200 security personnel to protect him, but he chose to travel in an autorickshaw in Gujarat, creating a drama. As a result, we are presenting him with these vehicles in order to fulfil his desire to travel in three-wheelers in Delhi “Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, stated.
Arvind Kejriwal
Chief Minister of Delhi since February 2015, Arvind Kejriwal is an Indian politician, former bureaucrat, and activist. He also served as the Chief Minister of Delhi for 49 days between December 2013 and February 2014. As of right now, he is the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, which obtained a record-breaking 67 out of 70 assembly seats in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections. Kejriwal was honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2006 for his work with the grass-roots movement Parivartan to promote right to information legislation as part of a larger effort to combat government corruption.
Kejriwal was a Joint Commissioner of Income Tax in New Delhi for the Indian Revenue Service before he entered politics. Kejriwal received his mechanical engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur. He established the Aam Aadmi Party in 2012, and it subsequently won the election for the Delhi Legislative Assembly in 2013. On December 28, 2013, after being elected to the position, he became the Chief Minister of Delhi.
