A day after switching from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Swati Maliwal launched a sharp attack on Arvind Kejriwal while expressing strong support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She stated that her decision to join the BJP was voluntary and driven by her belief in Modi’s leadership, and she encouraged others interested in what she described as constructive politics to consider joining the party.
In her remarks, Maliwal accused Kejriwal of being “anti-women” and alleged that he was associated with corruption and “gundagardi.” She referred to a 2024 incident in which she had accused Kejriwal’s aide of assaulting her at the Chief Minister’s residence, claiming that she faced threats and pressure to withdraw her complaint after raising the issue. She further alleged that she was not given opportunities to speak in Parliament for an extended period, which she described as deeply unfair and indicative of the party’s internal functioning.
Maliwal also made broader allegations about the functioning of the AAP, claiming that the party was misusing its position in Punjab, the only state where it is currently in power, and described it as being treated like a “personal ATM.” She alleged that individuals who voice dissent against the party are targeted with legal cases and intimidation.
Contrasting her criticism of Kejriwal, she praised Prime Minister Modi, describing him as a globally popular leader who has taken major decisions for the country. She cited actions such as national security operations, steps against extremism, and the introduction of the women’s reservation bill as examples of what she called decisive and historic leadership. She also mentioned the role of Amit Shah in these developments.
Responding to accusations from AAP leaders that she and other departing members were “traitors,” Maliwal rejected the label and instead accused Kejriwal of betraying the principles on which his political movement was originally built. She recalled the early days of the anti-corruption movement led by Kejriwal, stating that he had once projected a simple lifestyle and strong ideals that inspired many supporters.
However, she alleged that after coming to power, Kejriwal deviated from those principles, citing the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy and claiming that large sums were spent on his official residence. She argued that such actions contradicted the values that had initially attracted public support to the movement.
Maliwal further claimed that after electoral setbacks in Delhi, the party’s alleged irregularities had shifted focus to Punjab. She also criticised what she described as growing VIP culture within the leadership, contrasting it with earlier positions taken by the party against such practices.
Overall, her statements marked a significant escalation in political tensions between the two parties, with her defection and subsequent remarks adding to the ongoing rivalry and debate over governance, accountability, and leadership credibility.
