BJP Brands Kejriwal as the 'Largest Extortionist' Over Naresh Balyan Incident

New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a fierce offensive against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday, claiming that its National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has facilitated a culture of extortion within the party.

The accusations surfaced following the arrest of AAP MLA Naresh Balyan, who represents Uttam Nagar, in connection with an extortion scheme.

Balyan was detained on Saturday, mere hours after the BJP released audio recordings that allegedly captured the legislator conversing with gangster Kapil Sangwan, also known as Nandu. The recordings supposedly depict discussions about intimidating and extorting funds from builders and other individuals based in Delhi.

During a press briefing in New Delhi on Saturday, BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia labeled Balyan an 'extortionist' and asserted that the MLA harassed builders with the explicit knowledge and approval of Arvind Kejriwal. Bhatia went on to accuse AAP leaders of collaborating with gangsters to extract protection money from traders and builders in the national capital.

In remarks to IANS, the BJP criticized AAP for their lack of response and alleged ties to gangsters.

BJP National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa charged that AAP was conducting an extortion operation from behind bars.

'No one surpasses Arvind Kejriwal as an extortionist,' Sirsa claimed.

'Engaging with gangsters about extortion and facilitating such actions isn't a crime for AAP -- it's merely routine. For the first time in our nation, an extortion racket is being blatantly operated from jails, overseen by AAP,' he conveyed to IANS.

Delhi BJP Vice President Kapil Mishra also criticized Kejriwal's silence, suggesting it implied involvement.

'The most pressing question is, why is Arvind Kejriwal silent regarding Naresh Balyan's arrest? His whole party is silent. This silence indicates their direct link with criminals,' Mishra told IANS.

'This is not an isolated occurrence. Just yesterday, another AAP MLA, Naresh Yadav, was sentenced to two years in prison by a Punjab court. One after another, AAP leaders are being exposed for their illicit activities,' he added.

Mishra further pointed out the criminal history of Kapil Sangwan, stating, 'The individual Naresh Balyan was conversing with is a notorious gangster with 20 pending cases, including a murder charge involving a BJP leader in Delhi. AAP leaders are associating with such figures, which unveils the true nature of their governance.'

Former BJP MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely also expressed disappointment at the state of Delhi's politics under AAP's administration.

'It is regrettable that a party already entangled in the liquor scam, school construction scams, and the 'Sheesh Mahal' scandal has now devolved into extortion,' he told IANS.

'Residents of Delhi are witnessing politics sink to a new low under AAP,' he added.

The BJP has demanded accountability from AAP and called for prompt legal measures against Naresh Balyan and others implicated in the purported extortion scheme. It has also urged Kejriwal to break his silence and address the accusations aimed at his party.

This controversy presents yet another hurdle for AAP, which has been grappling with allegations of corruption and criminal activities among its members. As opposition pressure mounts, inquiries regarding the party's governance and ethical standards continue to intensify.