The Congress on Wednesday questioned Arvind Kejriwal’s patriotism, citing a video message by his friend-turned-foe Kumar Vishwas who claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief had links with Khalistani forces.

Congress communications chief Randeep Surjewala said at a media conference in Chandigarh: “The true face of Kejriwal is unmasked. Kumar Vishwas has made a sensational and dangerous revelation. This is about national security. Can anybody compromise with separatist forces for power? Kejriwal’s patriotism is in question. His commitment to India’s Constitution and integrity is in doubt.”

Asking Kejriwal to respond to the allegations, Surjewala said: “Did he take help from Khalistani forces? Does he take help from separatist forces? Where from is the funding coming? Did he get foreign funding? Kumar Vishwas was a founder-member of AAP, a close friend of Kejriwal. They knew each other well. Kejriwal will have to clarify whether he is part of an international conspiracy.”

Vishwas, a popular poet who was in the AAP core group and whom Kejriwal had fielded against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, has accused the Delhi chief minister of hobnobbing with Khalistani separatists.

“I told him to be wary of fringe elements; not to take help from Khalistani elements. This was in the last Assembly elections in Punjab (in 2017). But he dismissed my suggestion. He said, ‘We will manage, you don’t worry.’ He told me such dreadful things… people of Punjab know,” Vishwas said in the video. He claimed Kejriwal made comments that can be viewed as advocating separatism.

Although Kejriwal has not reacted to Vishwas’s allegations, AAP’s Punjab in-charge Raghav Chadha issued a statement saying: “Kumar Vishwas through the means of forged and fabricated video with the devious intent to defame and deride Arvind Kejriwal has been circulating/ publishing the said videos. Malicious, unfounded, fabricated, inflammatory insinuations made by Vishwas are not only demonstrably defamatory but is redolent of promoting hatred, ill will, hostility in society and in particular against AAP, as well as supporters as also intending to create a situation of unrest.”

The statement added: “In view thereof, it is forcefully submitted that in case any channel publishes/ circulates aids or provides platform to disseminate the same, we shall be found forced to take stringent legal action.”

The Congress, however, played the video at the media conference, arguing it was the party’s responsibility to ask questions if a leader’s patriotism came under suspicion.

Kejriwal had got embroiled in a controversy in the 2017 election when he stayed in the house of Khalistani activist Gurwinder Singh. AAP had found itself at the centre of another controversy when a Khalistani militant was seen working for the party in the polls.