Swati Maliwal, a recently defected Member of Parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has asserted that the party has significantly deviated from its foundational principles and that its leader, Arvind Kejriwal, is no longer the same individual he once was. This declaration follows a substantial political upheaval for the AAP, which saw seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including prominent figures like Raghav Chadha and Maliwal herself, announce their departure from the party. The exodus represents a considerable blow to the AAP, occurring less than a year after its electoral defeat in Delhi.
The other Rajya Sabha members who have left the party are Sandeep Pathak, a key organizer within the AAP, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikram Sahney. Maliwal, who has since joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed her admiration for the “decisive and strong leadership” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an interview with PTI Videos, Maliwal recounted her personal experiences, stating, “I left my home, lived in slums for seven years, quit my job and supported every movement. But when I tried to file an FIR after being assaulted, I was beaten up at Kejriwal’s residence by his aide.”
Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that Maliwal further alleged that she faced significant pressure and threats to withdraw her complaint. She claimed, “For two years, I was put under pressure to take my case back, but I did not bow down. Because of this, I was not given even a minute to speak in Parliament by the party.” Maliwal’s accusations paint a stark picture of the AAP’s internal dynamics, characterizing the party as having transformed into an entity known for “lies, corruption and hooliganism.” She articulated her belief that the true betrayal lies not in leaving the party, but in abandoning one’s principles, and that leaders are departing due to Arvind Kejriwal’s actions rather than fear.
Maliwal anticipates that more leaders will exit the AAP in the coming days, stating her conviction that “no good person can work with him for long. He says one thing and does another.” She contrasted Kejriwal’s current persona with his past image as a “common man,” noting a significant shift in his lifestyle. “There was a time when he carried a Rs 2 pen and wore simple clothes. Today, only his status has changed,” she remarked, alluding to the BJP’s criticism of Kejriwal’s alleged lavish spending, often referred to as “sheeshmahals.”
Furthermore, Maliwal directed criticism towards the AAP’s governance of Punjab, alleging that the state government is being run by “remote control” following the party’s electoral setback in Delhi. She described the Punjab government as a “personal ATM,” where “illegal sand mining and drug use are happening openly, and corruption is at its peak.” According to her claims, the populace in Punjab is dissatisfied with the AAP’s operational methods. She also asserted that individuals who once arrived on scooters now possess substantial assets, including homes, vehicles, and businesses, all allegedly occurring under Kejriwal’s patronage. Maliwal emphasized that her decision to join the BJP was a deliberate choice, made after careful consideration, and not under duress. She countered claims that leaders are joining the BJP out of fear of investigative agencies like the ED and CBI, stating, “I am not someone who can be scared. I have joined wholeheartedly. If I wanted, I could have joined two years ago.” She also lauded Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, attributing India‘s rapid progress and strengthened global standing to his diplomatic efforts.
In response to these defections, AAP leader Sanjay Singh announced that the party intends to formally request the Rajya Sabha chairman to disqualify the seven defecting MPs. Singh cited the anti-defection law, emphasizing that it does not recognize any form of split or faction within the Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha, regardless of the majority size. Earlier, Singh had characterized the defections as a BJP-orchestrated maneuver under ‘Operation Lotus’ and predicted that the people of Punjab would not forgive the seven MPs. Maliwal, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the AAP in 2024, previously served as the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.