The row over Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s remarks on BJP national president Nitin Nabin has escalated into a political tussle, with the former Delhi chief minister drawing a stern attack from CM Rekha Gupta and a bizarre response from deputy CM Parvesh Verma.
Kejriwal on Sunday hit out at Nitin Nabin after the BJP president accused opposition leaders of remaining silent on “insults” to Hindu deities amid the ongoing row over the theft of donations from the Ayodhya Ram temple.
Nabin named Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Kejriwal and asked them not to consider “the Hindu religion so weak that people will fall for your rhetoric.”
Moving on to X, the AAP chief responded to Nitin Nabin and asked him, “Aap kaun hain (Who are you)?”
Read also | VHP asks Ayodhya police to question Arvind Kejriwal and Priyanka Gandhi in Ram temple donation case
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta criticized Kejriwal and described his remarks as a sign of despair.
In a post on X, I gave a detailed introduction to Nitin Nabin and highlighted his achievements. She then said that Kejriwal was being too egotistical, even though everyone knew he was “desperate and frustrated”.
Parvesh Verma, BJP leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, gave a short but roundabout reply to Arvind Kejriwal’s question “Who are you?” Question on Nitin Nabin. “National president is very important,” Verma said, “but do you remember me or not?”
What did Nitin Nabin say?
Speaking at an event in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow on Sunday, Nitin Nabin said the BJP will not allow anyone to tamper with the faith associated with the Ram temple, even if he has to shed his blood.
“Even if we have to shed our blood, we will ensure that no one tampers with the faith associated with the Lord Ram temple. We are ready to make any sacrifices required,” he said.
Read also | AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal alleges ‘cover-up’ in Ram Mandir donation theft case, takes aim at PM Modi
Referring to the opposition, Nabin also said that “anti-Hindu forces” are trying to score political points amid the misappropriation row of donations to the Ram temple.
“Let me say this clearly to Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal: Do not underestimate Hinduism by thinking that we will fall for your tricks or be fooled by your tricks,” Nabin added.
The BJP president’s remarks came against the backdrop of the opposition’s growing demands for a probe into the donation theft case at the Ayodhya temple and questions over the management of temple funds.
Reacting to Nabin’s statements, Arvind Kejriwal asked: “Who are you?”
Rekha Gupta’s acute reaction
In a sharp response to Arvind Kejriwal’s remark on Nitin Nabin, CM Rekha Gupta provided BJP president in detail.
She wrote in her post The upper house of parliament in the largest democracy in the world, this is a brief introduction to it.”
She criticized Kejriwal’s arrogance, calling him desperate and frustrated, and said it seemed like the AAP chief was “still flying high in the seventh heaven”.
Read also | AAP’s Sanjay Singh accuses VHP chief of protecting the accused of stealing Ram Mandir donations
“Incidentally, Mamata ji also once asked: ‘Who is this Amit Shah?’ Time answers every question,” Gupta added.
The Prime Minister of Delhi referred to the Ramayana and said, “Even Ravana’s arrogance could not withstand; who are you to believe your will?”
Gupta’s deputy, Parvesh Verma, also chimed in to mock Kejriwal, asking him if the AAP chief remembered him.
Describe the theft of Ram Mandir donations
The investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is still ongoing, with eight people arrested so far.
In response to the opposition’s demand for a probe into the donation theft case, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has asked the Ayodhya police to question AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other leaders of the opposition bloc over their allegations in the case.
VHP International President Alok Kumar asked the police to summon the leaders, record their statements and search for facts, sources and documents that support their claims.
Meanwhile, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will hold an important meeting in Ayodhya on Monday afternoon amid ongoing investigations.
The meeting, scheduled for 3 pm, will review the findings of the Special Investigation Committee into accusations of theft of donations, and discuss the resignations of the Trust’s General Secretary, Champat Rai, and its Trustee, Anil Mishra.
