Parvesh Verma, a BJP MP, has filed a defamation suit against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for Rs 100 crore. With the case split equally at Rs 50 crore each, Verma accuses them of using baseless accusations against him. 

Verma took to X to announce the details about the action, stating, “I have filed a defamation case of Rs 50 crore each against Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. And have also complained to the Election Commission.” The legal action arises from claims that Kejriwal allegedly said Verma had called Punjabis a threat to national security. Verma emphasised his and his family's services to the Sikh community while strongly refuting the allegations. “I don't need to mention what I and my family have done for the Sikh community,” Verma said.

Verma also criticised AAP campaigners from Punjab for coming into Delhi and trying to influence voters by distributing Chinese-made CCTV cameras, liquor and cash. He said he had filed complaints about these actions with the police and the Election Commission. In his defence, Arvind Kejriwal criticised Verma’s comments on X, highlighting the important contributions of Punjabis to both Delhi and the country’s history.

“Delhi is home to lakhs of Punjabis, whose families and ancestors have made countless sacrifices for the country,” Kejriwal noted, adding that many Punjabis sought refuge in Delhi during the partition, contributing immensely to the city’s development. Kejriwal criticised Verma for calling Punjabis a security threat and urged the BJP to apologise for what he called a serious insult to the Punjabi community in Delhi. 

The defamation lawsuit comes as Delhi prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections on February 5. Parvesh Verma will be running for the election, facing off against former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of AAP and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit in the New Delhi constituency. Verma expressed confidence in his party's chances, criticising Kejriwal for allegedly spreading falsehoods out of fear of losing. He also accused Kejriwal of insulting Hindu sentiments with his remarks about religious figures like Ram and Hanuman.

“The people of Delhi will give them a reply on February 5, and on February 8, the lotus will bloom,” Verma said, referring to the poll symbol of the BJP. On February 5, Delhi will hold a single-phase election for all 70 Assembly seats. On February 8, the votes will be counted.