Kejriwal attacked with chilli powder

Aman flung chilli powder at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal outside his office in the Delhi Secretariat yesterday, an attack the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) described as “politically motivated”.

The man, Anil Kumar, who has been detained, was targeting the bespectacled chief minister’s eyes, officials said.

His spectacles broke but his eyes seemed to have been spared any damage, they added.

Kumar, whose Aadhaar card has been recovered, brought the chilli powder to the secretariat in packets of ‘khaini’, or chewing tobacco, they said.

After throwing red pepper powder on Kejriwal, Kumar threatened to shoot him after he comes out of jail, an official recounted.

The attack took place outside the chief minister’s chamber on the third floor when he was leaving for lunch.

While AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj accused the BJP, leader of the saffron party’s Delhi unit Manoj Tiwari condemned the attack and called for a “high-level” probe.

According to Bhardwaj, the attack happened at the chief minister’s office, which is a “high-security” zone. He said it was a serious matter and termed the attack “politically motivated”.

“The BJP is behind the attack and the accused are being aided by the Modi government,” Bhardwaj alleged.