Delhi BJP accuses AAP MLA of conspiracy in Vikaspuri road slapping row
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor on 27 September 2026 accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Jarnail Singh of orchestrating a 'well-planned conspiracy' that led to the now-controversial Vikaspuri road-inspection incident, in which PWD Minister Parvesh Verma allegedly slapped a person. Kapoor acknowledged the incident was 'unfortunate' — echoing Verma's own public admission — but argued the provocation was deliberate and pre-meditated.
How the Confrontation Unfolded
According to Kapoor, AAP MLA Jarnail Singh — representing the Tilak Nagar Assembly constituency — had for over a week raised complaints about the contractor engaged in road construction work in Vikaspuri, repeatedly pressing officials to arrange a personal meeting. When the contractor declined, Singh reportedly escalated the matter through social media videos, which came to the attention of PWD Minister Parvesh Verma.
Verma subsequently decided to conduct an on-site administrative inspection. As a procedural courtesy, he called Singh in advance and invited him to join the visit. Singh arrived approximately 45 minutes late and, according to Kapoor, brought roughly 50 AAP workers with him — a move BJP characterised as 'mob politics.'
BJP's Account of the Incident
Kapoor alleged that Singh and his accompanying workers 'behaved in an indecent and uncivilised manner' during the inspection. As Verma was walking toward his vehicle, one of Singh's aides and others allegedly surrounded the Minister and directed abusive language at him. Kapoor said the Minister, on hearing these remarks, 'became agitated,' leading to the physical altercation that has since drawn widespread criticism.
'As a matter of official protocol and propriety, Minister Verma had invited MLA Jarnail Singh to join the inspection visit, but the MLA created a commotion by resorting to mob politics,' Kapoor said.
BJP's Conspiracy Charge
Kapoor framed the incident as a calculated trap, citing two key questions: why did Singh take 45 minutes to reach a site he was notified about in advance, and why did he arrive with a crowd rather than attending alone? 'The entire incident appears to have been a well-planned conspiracy by MLA Jarnail Singh,' Kapoor said.
He went further, drawing a comparison with former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that Kejriwal had, through a 'similar conspiracy,' previously arranged assaults on the Delhi Chief Secretary and 'even his own party's MP.' These are BJP's claims and remain contested by AAP.
BJP's Position on Verma's Conduct
Despite the sharp accusations against Singh, BJP did not defend the slapping itself. Kapoor reiterated that 'what happened in Vikaspuri on Sunday has itself been termed wrong by the PWD Minister, and we all regret it.' He added that Verma could have countered by mobilising 100–200 of his own workers, but chose instead a 'democratic approach' of direct engagement — suggesting the Minister's restraint ultimately gave way under extreme provocation.
The row adds to political tensions in New Delhi ahead of a period of heightened legislative activity, with both BJP and AAP trading accusations over governance conduct in the capital. AAP is yet to formally respond to BJP's conspiracy allegations; the party's version of events is expected to be made public shortly.