The BJP and the AAP are once again clashing in Delhi, this time over a security scare involving Delhi’s former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. While holding a padyatra in Malviya Nagar ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections on Saturday evening, Kejriwal was reportedly targeted when a man attempted to throw a liquid, reportedly water, at him.

Footage from the scene shows the individual approaching Kejriwal as he greeted the crowd and hurling the liquid in his direction. AAP supporters and police quickly apprehended the suspect, identified as Ashok Jha. Some party workers were seen physically confronting the man before he was handed over to the authorities. Jha was arrested shortly after the incident.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 5:50 PM during the padyatra, which began at Savitri Nagar and ended at Meghna Motors in Malviya Nagar. "The man, Ashok Jha, attempted to throw water at Kejriwal, but was immediately caught due to the presence of police staff and security personnel," a senior police official said.

In response, Kejriwal accused the BJP of orchestrating the attack, suggesting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah should focus on improving law and order in Delhi instead of targeting him. On social media, he posted, "Amit Shah ji, you won’t gain anything by trying to stop me. Stop crime in Delhi. Will crime in Delhi reduce if you stop me? Will shoot-outs in Delhi stop if you stop me? Will the women of Delhi become safe?"

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj also blamed the BJP, claiming the man attempted to throw spirit (flammable liquid) at Kejriwal in an effort to burn him. "One man tried to burn Arvind Kejriwal alive by sprinkling spirit and carrying a matchbox," Bhardwaj said in a media briefing. He further criticized the BJP-led central government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the city, pointing to multiple incidents of attacks on Kejriwal.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, another senior AAP leader, claimed the attacker was a BJP supporter, asserting that the ruling party was nervous about losing the upcoming elections. "The BJP is feeling very nervous about losing the Delhi elections for the third time. This attack was done by a BJP worker," she wrote on social media.

However, the BJP countered the AAP’s accusations, suggesting that the attack was staged by the ruling party itself. BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva dismissed the claims, calling the incident a "political drama" orchestrated by AAP. He speculated that the attacker would ultimately be revealed as an AAP member. "The news is that it was water thrown by a man who was drunk. This is a political stunt by Kejriwal," Sachdeva said.

Sources later revealed that the attacker, Ashok Jha, was a bus marshal at Khanpur Depot and had been frustrated over not receiving his salary for the past six months. This frustration is believed to be linked to ongoing protests from over 10,000 former bus marshals in Delhi, who have been demanding the restoration of their jobs. These former marshals have been agitating for more than a year, seeking regularization of their positions instead of being used as political tools by parties.

The police have registered a case against Ashok Jha, and an investigation is ongoing.