Find some free time from drama: Parvesh Verma hits back at Kejriwal over slap row
A political showdown erupted in Delhi after PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh was caught on camera slapping a man during a road inspection in west Delhi's Tilak Nagar, with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal demanding his arrest and announcing a visit to the area.
Kejriwal, reacting to the slapgate video, said he would visit Tilak Nagar at 4.30 pm on Monday to inspect the road, which AAP leaders have alleged was poorly constructed. He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the incident and said Gen Z would not support the BJP if its ministers behaved this way.
Parvesh Verma hit back, accusing Kejriwal of "drama" and saying the man seen in the video was an AAP "goon" who had a case registered against him three months ago for allegedly attacking MCD employees. , ! https://t.co/HtsXHjOOZl pic.twitter.com/ybIz96snGDβ Parvesh Sahib Singh (@p_sahibsingh) September 28, 2026KEJRIWAL DEMANDS PARVESH VERMA'S ARREST
Kejriwal said the road being inspected by the minister was already "falling apart" and had been seen crumbling in videos a day earlier.
"Meanwhile, one of their ministers actually slapped a young man. On one hand, the Prime Minister is trying to woo Gen Z, making reels and attending 'bhajan clubbing' events, while on the other hand, his own minister slaps someone, and the Prime Minister takes no action," Kejriwal said.
He urged the Prime Minister to arrest Parvesh Verma and the engineers responsible for constructing the road.
"Gen Z isn't going to side with him like that," Kejriwal said, adding that the Prime Minister would not need to make reels or attend such events if action was taken.
Kejriwal said he would visit Tilak Nagar at 4.30 pm in connection with the controversy.PARVESH VERMA HITS BACK AT KEJRIWAL
Responding to Kejriwal, Parvesh Verma said the former Delhi chief minister should first watch the full video before making allegations.
"Kejriwal ji, I can teach you how to win people's hearts. But only if you get some time away from doing drama. First, watch this video," Verma said in a post.
Taking aim at Kejriwal's reference to Gen Z, Verma said, "Arvind Kejriwal ji is now taking the support of Gen Z."
He alleged that the man who had come to the inspection site was an AAP worker and claimed that Jarnail Singh had arrived with his supporters.
Verma said it was the first time a minister had visited an area at the request of an opposition MLA to understand and inspect the work.
He further alleged that the man described by Kejriwal as Gen Z had a case registered against him three months ago over an alleged assault on MCD employees.WHAT HAPPENED DURING ROAD INSPECTION
The controversy began when Parvesh Verma inspected a newly laid road in Tilak Nagar following a complaint by local AAP MLA Jarnail Singh about the quality of the construction.
Jarnail Singh questioned the roadwork and pulled out portions of the surface by hand. A man standing nearby was recording the inspection when Verma was seen slapping him.
The man, identified as Saheb Singh, said he was an associate of Jarnail Singh and handled the MLA's social media work. He alleged that Verma snatched his phone before raising his hand at him and that the minister's security personnel grabbed him.
Saheb Singh has lodged a complaint against Verma at Vikaspuri Police Station, according to police.
Verma, however, alleged that the man had abused his family members. He said the video circulated by the AAP did not show the full context of the incident.VERMA ALLEGES COMMISSION DEMAND
The PWD minister also accused Jarnail Singh of seeking a commission from the road contractor, an allegation rejected by the AAP.
Verma said the roadwork would be independently audited and that core-cutting tests would be conducted to establish the quality of construction.
He said attempts to obstruct government work or demand commissions would not be tolerated, while maintaining that several Delhi roads were being constructed after remaining neglected for years.
The incident has prompted demands from several AAP leaders for Verma's arrest. AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj, Leader of Opposition Atishi, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and MLA Kuldeep Kumar have also criticised the minister over the incident.- Ends
