Sitharaman calls Kejriwal shameless, seeks apology on Maliwal issue

New Delhi, May 17 (PTI) Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not speaking on the issue of alleged attack on his party MP Swati Maliwal, and said he is instead "shamelessly" moving around with accused Bibhav Kumar.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Sitharaman demanded the AAP convener make a statement on the matter and tender an apology for the alleged assault on Maliwal at his official residence on May 13.

She said AAP MP Sanjay Singh had promised action in the case but Kejriwal was seen the next day in Lucknow with the accused, a close aide. He was "shamelessly" moving around with him, which amounted to rubbing salt in the wound, she said. "This is height of shamelessness." The BJP leader cited past instances of accusations of attacking women against several AAP leaders, including its New Delhi Lok Sabha candidate Somnath Bharti, and called the party an "anti-women" party.

The finance minister said that Madhu Bhaduri, a former IFS officer and a founding member of the AAP, quit the party saying women were not treated as humans in it and that it had a "khap panchayat" mindset.

Taking a swipe at the Congress, the finance minister said the Gandhi family members will be voting for Bharti, who was accused of assaulting his pregnant wife.

It is "unbelievable and unacceptable" that Kejriwal has not spoken a word on attack on his party MP, she said.

Maliwal on Friday filed an FIR in the case, accusing Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her at the chief minister's official residence.

Sitharaman said Maliwal was assaulted when Kejriwal was in his house.

Kejriwal should apologise, she said and claimed that women in the national capital are wondering that if he is capable of ensuring safety to them.

Sitharaman said INDIA bloc parties should ask Kejriwal to come clean on the issue. Their slogans for women will be otherwise nothing but a lip service, she said.

Noting that it took Maliwal a few days to officially lodge a complaint with police, she said it showed that she has been under high-level pressure.

Maliwal is a former Delhi Commission for Women chief. PTI