Collage of BJP leader Parvesh Verma and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal
| Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

BJP MP Parvesh Verma has filed a ₹100-crore defamation case against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing them of levelling false allegations against him.

Mr. Verma said if he wins the case, he plans to use the money for development work in his New Delhi constituency, from where he is contesting the February 5 assembly polls against Mr. Kejriwal.

On Mr. Kejriwal’s allegation that Mr. Verma has called Punjabis a threat to the country, the BJP leader said, “I don’t need to mention what I and my family have done for the Sikh community.”

Mr. Verma alleged that thousands of cars from Punjab, carrying AAP ministers, legislators and even their Chief Minister Mann, have entered Delhi in recent days to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

“I don’t have a problem with their campaigning, but they are influencing voters by distributing CCTV cameras from Chinese companies, liquor, and money,” Mr. Verma claimed, adding he has filed complaints with the police and the Election Commission.

The BJP leader accused Mr. Kejriwal of resorting to lies out of frustration over his party’s “imminent defeat.” He also criticised Mr. Kejriwal for allegedly insulting Hindu sentiments through his remarks on Ram and Hanuman.

“The people of Delhi will give them a reply on February 5, and on February 8, the lotus will bloom,” he said, referring to the BJP’s election symbol.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Kejriwal on X condemned the BJP leader’s remarks that cars from Punjab posed a security threat ahead of the January 26 parade.

“Delhi is home to lakhs of Punjabis, whose families and ancestors have made countless sacrifices for the country. Many Punjabis also came to Delhi as refugees during the partition, leaving everything behind and enduring immense suffering. Punjabis have shaped Delhi,” Mr. Kejriwal wrote in Hindi.

Criticising Mr. Verma’s statement, Mr. Kejriwal said, “By calling Punjabis a threat to the country, BJP has insulted lakhs of Punjabis living in Delhi. This is deeply painful to hear. BJP should apologise to Punjabis.”