CHARKHI DADRI, Haryana: Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal was attacked and hit on his neck by a man during his campaigning here following which the assaulter was thrashed by supporters of the party.
However, Kejriwal, currently on a three-day campaign trail to various parts of Haryana and Punjab, disapproved AAP supporters thrashing of the attacker, identified as Jitender Leghan of Leghan village. He was later arrested and questioned by local police.
“Someone hit me hard on my neck just now. This kind of violent reaction is expected of them. It only shows their true character and desperation,” the AAP leader tweeted after the incident without elaborating who he was referring to. The attacker also tried to slap him.
In a series of tweets, the former Delhi Chief Minister, who hails from Sivani village in Bhiwani, 30 km from here, disapproved of the AAP supporters beating the attacker saying he was “deeply hurt” by their reaction.
“Our supporters beat him up in retaliation. That is very wrong. That is not expected of us.
“I am deeply hurt by the reaction of our supporters. If we also react violently, then what is the difference betn (between) them and us?,” he said.
Kejriwal had entered Haryana earlier in the day from Badli in Rohtak district from Delhi.
Asking his supporters not to indulge in violence, Kejriwal said AAP’s movement will be “finished” if his supporters retaliate to such attacks.
“If we ever become violent, the movement wud (would) be finished. So, please please please, in future, if anyone hits us, including me, we shud (should) be nice to him,” he said in an appeal to AAP supporters.
People present at the roadshow said Jitender allegedly had made an unsuccessful attempt to slap Kejriwal.
When asked, the attacker said he was Anna’s supporter and was angry at Kejriwal for “hijacking” the movement. He claimed that he rose to protest but did not slap the AAP leader.
In another tweet, Kejriwal said, “We should never never react violently. If you are a part of this movement- kasam khao kabhi haath nahi uthaoge, chahe kitna bada hamla kyon na ho.”
Earlier, some Congress supporters showed black flag to him as his cavalcade passed through Jhajhar district.
Kejriwal had addressed roadshows in Narnaul in Mahendergarh district also before entering Bhiwani where he lashed out at Congress and BJP and said people should fight against corruption and vote for AAP.-PTI
