AAP national convenor links Tilak Nagar road inspection incident to PM Modi’s outreach to Gen-Z and seeks action over alleged road-construction irregularities
New Delhi, Sept 2026 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged slapping of a young man by Delhi Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar, and called for action against the minister and those allegedly responsible for irregularities in the road project.
Kejriwal linked the incident to the Prime Minister’s efforts to engage with Gen-Z, arguing that government accountability and action would do more to build trust among young people than social-media outreach or public events.
In a video message, Kejriwal questioned Modi’s attempts to connect with young voters through reels and what he described as “bhajan-clubbing” events. He said the government should instead demonstrate transparency by acting against its own ministers when allegations arise.
Referring to Sunday’s incident, Kejriwal alleged that a newly constructed road in the Tilak Nagar area had begun deteriorating and that Verma, who was present for an inspection, slapped a young man who was recording the proceedings. A video of the confrontation circulated widely on social media and showed Verma pulling down the man’s mobile phone before appearing to slap him.
Kejriwal demanded Verma’s arrest and called for an investigation into those involved in the construction of the road. He also alleged that the Delhi Police had been instructed to protect the minister, though this allegation was not independently established in the reports reviewed.
The young man, identified as Saheb Singh, said he handled social-media activities for AAP MLA Jarnail Singh and had been at the site after being called to inspect the road. He alleged that he was showing Verma how the road surface was breaking apart when the minister raised his hand against him. Singh said an FIR had been lodged and sought disciplinary action.
Verma, however, rejected the allegations surrounding the confrontation and offered a different account. In a video statement, he said AAP workers present at the site had abused his family and that he reacted in anger. He also alleged that AAP MLA Jarnail Singh had sought a commission from officials involved in the road project. Verma said an engineer had approached the police and that complaints had been filed regarding obstruction of government work.
The dispute has since widened into a political confrontation between the AAP and the BJP-led Delhi government. AAP leaders have demanded an FIR and action against Verma, while the minister has defended the government’s road-construction work and accused his political opponents of attempting to obstruct it.
Kejriwal, meanwhile, argued that Gen-Z expects honesty and straightforwardness from political leaders. He said that demonstrating accountability in cases involving public works and allegations against ministers would be more meaningful than efforts to build political outreach through social media.
The controversy comes amid a broader political clash in Delhi over road construction, governance and allegations of wrongdoing. The competing claims surrounding the incident and the road project remain subject to investigation and verification.
