NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday sharpened his attack on PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh over a purported video showing him slapping a youth during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar, accusing the BJP leader of targeting young people and asking whether he could face the youth without police and security.Bharadwaj also posted “BJP Vs GenZ” alongside his criticism of the minister.Reacting to the video, Bharadwaj said, “If you were such a big wrestler, Parvesh Verma, then you would not run away hiding behind police and security.”Bhardwaj also accused Verma of losing his temper after Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh raised questions over the quality of a road.“Parvesh Verma, you are a coward and a fearful man, and today the whole world has seen this… You couldn’t answer Jarnail Singh’s questions, so you lost your temper and went crazy. You slapped a child who was recording your video peacefully and not saying anything.”He further challenged Verma, saying, “Today also, if you are so fond of wrestling, we can arrange a face-to-face match with that boy without any security guards to see who the big wrestler is.”Bharadwaj later posted: “BJP Vs GenZ Lathis for Youth at Jantar Mantar Pallet Guns for those who Question Slapping Youth at Tilak Nagar & hiding behind Police BJP Leaders like Parvesh Verma cannot tolerate GenZ which demands accountability from BJP Govt.”The AAP also took to X to target the BJP over the incident, posting, “Is the BJP government’s minister a thug or what!! As soon as the corruption in road construction by Minister Pravesh Verma in the Delhi government was exposed, he resorted to thuggery by openly slapping young people.”
What the youth said
The youth, identified as Saheb, said he handles social media activities for the local MLA and had gone to the spot after the PWD department called them to inspect the road.“We came here after the PWD department called us to inspect the condition of this road. I showed him how the road surface was breaking apart. When this was pointed out, the Minister couldn’t handle it; he raised his hand against me and his associates and threatened to kill me,” Saheb said.Saheb said police personnel were present when the incident took place.“The police were present right there, and all of this happened in their presence. He must apologise, and whatever disciplinary action is required-such as suspension-should be taken. We aren’t just making claims; there is video evidence of everything. Action must be taken. We have lodged an FIR and will pursue further action.”
Parvesh Verma denies allegations
Verma has denied the allegations. In a response on X, the Delhi minister claimed that supporters of the AAP MLA hurled abuses and misbehaved at the site. He also accused Jarnail Singh of demanding commissions for road projects.“If anyone says anything to my family, or if anyone tries to obstruct our work, causes damage to our property, or demands commissions from our officials-which the Aam Aadmi Party MLA did-this is something we will not tolerate,” the BJP leader said in a video message.The controversy began after AAP leaders shared a video in which Verma is seen slapping a youth during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar.The incident has triggered a political exchange between AAP and BJP leaders.(With agency inputs)
