New Delhi: BJP leader Kailash Gahlot dismissed suggestions of a conspiracy surrounding the arrest of AAP MLA Naresh Balyan in an extortion case, asserting that senior AAP leaders had been aware of the issue for over a year. Gahlot, who recently left AAP to join the BJP, expressed concerns about the lack of action from the party’s leadership, including National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, despite their knowledge of the situation.
Balyan, the MLA from Uttam Nagar, was arrested on Saturday after audio clips surfaced, allegedly showing him in conversation with gangster Kapil Sangwan, also known as Nandu. The clips reportedly reveal plans to extort money from builders in Delhi.
In a press conference on Saturday, BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia labeled Balyan an “extortionist” and accused AAP leaders of colluding with criminals to extort protection money. Bhatia suggested that Balyan’s actions were conducted with Kejriwal’s knowledge and consent.
Gahlot, addressing the controversy, told IANS, “It would be wrong to call this a conspiracy because every senior AAP leader has been aware of it for the last year. The real issue is why no action was taken despite this knowledge.” He expressed concern over the escalation of the matter, pointing out the contradiction in AAP’s founding values, which emphasized “Character, Corruption, and Crime.”
Referring to the audio clips, Gahlot described them as a continuous five-to-six-minute conversation, adding that it was disturbing and shocking.
Gahlot also commented on an incident during Kejriwal’s padyatra in Malviya Nagar on Saturday, where liquid was thrown at the AAP leader. Kejriwal later claimed the attacker, Ashok Jha, was a bus marshal. Gahlot questioned Kejriwal’s reaction, suggesting it was an attempt to divert attention.
“I observed that it seemed like someone poured water. Kejriwal’s statement, alleging the person was a bus marshal, appears to be a tactic to draw attention to himself,” Gahlot said.
He called for a thorough investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need to understand the identity, motives, and background of the individual involved. “This matter should not be dismissed lightly,” he concluded, urging a proper inquiry into the incident.