BJP slams AAP over Mehrauli MLA’s conviction

The BJP launched a sharp attack on AAP following the conviction of Mehrauli MLA Naresh Yadav in a 2016 Quran desecration case. BJP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi accused the AAP of pursuing power at any cost and criticised its leadership, particularly Arvind Kejriwal, for remaining silent on serious allegations against the party’s members.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP central office, Ilmi condemned Naresh Yadav’s actions, stating, “AAP MLA Naresh Yadav tore pages of the Quran and threw them on the streets of Malerkotla, Punjab, insulting the Muslim community. Now, an audio tape has surfaced, showing him extorting money. Despite this, Arvind Kejriwal remains silent. In his greed for power, Kejriwal pretends his party is Muslim-friendly and secular, but his actions tell a different story.”

Ilmi, a former AAP member, described the situation as a “new sin” and a “dark chapter” in the party’s history. She pointed to a viral audio tape involving Yadav, in which he allegedly engages in extortion, adding to the growing list of legal troubles for AAP.

“Another black deed of AAP has come to light. This extortion tape, which has surfaced after 10 years, further tarnishes the party’s image,” she said.

The BJP spokesperson went on to criticise the party’s failure to address these issues.

“Kejriwal’s silence on these allegations reflects the hypocrisy of his party. He continues to claim his party is secular, but his actions suggest otherwise. If Kejriwal truly believes in secularism, he should tell the people of Delhi the truth about Naresh Yadav’s crimes, especially in Muslim-majority areas like Seelampur and Mustafabad,” Ilmi remarked.

Ilmi also questioned the actions of Akhilesh Yadav, president of the Samajwadi Party and an ally of AAP in the INDI alliance, accusing him of ignoring the Quran desecration case. “Akhilesh Yadav, who creates a ruckus in the Parliament about issues in Sambhal, has remained silent on Naresh Yadav’s actions. If he is truly a well-wisher of Muslims, he should speak up during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections,” she said.

The case stems from a 2016 incident in Malerkotla, where Yadav, along with two others, was accused of desecrating the Quran. While initially acquitted due to lack of evidence, the case was reopened after a local resident, Mohammad, appealed to the court. In a recent ruling, the Malerkotla court convicted Yadav and two other men, sentencing them to two years in prison.