Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal exits AAP citing ideological differences, lack of space within the party, and serious allegations against its leadership, as she formally joins the BJP.
Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal addresses media a day after leaving AAP and joining BJP. | ANI
A day after formally joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Saturday intensified her attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that he is “anti-women” and involved in “corruption and gundagardi.”
Maliwal, who quit the AAP on Friday after nearly two decades of association, elaborated on her decision in an interaction with ANI, combining personal allegations, ideological differences, and sharp criticism of the party’s leadership. Her remarks also come amid signs of churn within AAP’s Rajya Sabha ranks, with multiple MPs parting ways with the party.
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“I joined the BJP not under any compulsion, but because I believe in the leadership of PM Modi. I urge all those who want to do constructive politics to join the BJP,” Maliwal said.
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She said her decision was shaped by deep ideological differences with the AAP, particularly on key legislative issues.
“I’ve made this decision after careful consideration. Even when the Women’s Reservation Bill was being introduced, the party’s stance was that they wouldn’t support it. I think that’s the limit for me. I’ve worked for women all my life… I’m joining the BJP because I’ve always been impressed by the BJP’s values and Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,” she said.
Referring to Article 370, she added, “Even when Article 370 was passed, the entire party opposed it. I stood in support of Article 370. I’ve always worked ideologically… I have no problem sacrificing my seat. Now, I am a BJP worker, and I will work as a BJP worker.”
Recalling her long association with Kejriwal since 2006, Maliwal said she had supported him through every agitation but later faced “harassment and pressure” within the party.
“I have left the AAP and joined the BJP. Since 2006, I have been working with Arvind Kejriwal and supported him during every agitation. However, Arvind Kejriwal had me beaten up by a goon in my own house. I was threatened when I raised my voice against it, and he put immense pressure on me to withdraw the FIR I lodged regarding this incident. I was denied any opportunity by the party to speak in Parliament for two years; this is very shameful. Arvind Kejriwal is anti-women,” she said.
Maliwal has repeatedly alleged that she was assaulted at Kejriwal’s residence in 2024, a charge she reiterated on Saturday.
Maliwal also claimed that discontent within the AAP is widespread.
“Be it Prashant Bhushan, Shanti Bhushan, Kumar Vishwas, and countless thousands and millions of volunteers have left the party under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership. I believe that no good person can work with Arvind Kejriwal for long… The party is breaking from within… I am in touch with everyone. No one is happy with Arvind Kejriwal,” she said.
#WATCH | Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal says, “…Be it Prashant Bhushan, Shanti Bhushan, Kumar Vishwas, and countless thousands and millions of volunteers have left the party under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership. I believe that no good person can work with Arvind Kejriwal for… pic.twitter.com/KmE1WxYYD0
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2026
Escalating her criticism, Maliwal accused the AAP leadership of misusing power in Punjab.
“Now, they have entered Punjab, and the state government is being remotely controlled, turning Punjab into their personal ATM. Sand mining and drug usage are at a peak in Punjab. FIRs are registered against all those leaders who raise their voices against them. Arvind Kejriwal is known for corruption and ‘gundagardi’,” she said.
She added, “If anyone is a traitor, it’s Arvind Kejriwal. When he started his movement, he wore torn pants, used a two-rupee pen, and drove around in a completely dilapidated car. We were all inspired, thinking that this man would bring change to the country. During the movement, he showed the entire country so many big, sweet dreams, and the country was impressed. But what did he do? As soon as he came to power, he built a house worth a hundred crores. He added a bar, installed carpets worth crores, and bought a refrigerator costing lakhs and crores. His sofa is so luxurious.”
“And now, after the people of Delhi defeated him, he has moved to Punjab. They’re using Punjab like an ATM. The man they had me beaten up by was given Z-plus security. Today, he’s been appointed Bhagwant Mann’s chief advisor…The man who used to speak out against VIP protocol, when his convoy moves out, we’re counting fifty cars, but it goes above fifty. So, what constitutes treason? I call acting against one’s core principles treason. And there’s no bigger traitor than Arvind Kejriwal…”
#WATCH | Delhi | On Arvind Kejriwal, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal says, “If anyone is a traitor, it’s Arvind Kejriwal. When he started his movement, he wore torn pants, used a two-rupee pen, and drove around in a completely dilapidated car. We were all inspired, thinking that… pic.twitter.com/xYhJ9NabP7
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2026
Contrasting AAP with the BJP, Maliwal praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“On the other hand, we have PM Modi, who is the most popular leader in the world… PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have taken historic decisions for the development of the nation,” she said.
The political developments come alongside a broader shake-up within the AAP.
On Friday, Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal parted ways with the party and joined the BJP. Chadha said that he, along with six AAP MPs, had informed the Rajya Sabha Chairman of their decision, indicating that two-thirds of the party’s Upper House members would merge with the BJP.
The AAP is now deliberating its next course of action. Senior leader Manish Sisodia met party convenor Arvind Kejriwal late Friday night after returning from Gujarat, as internal discussions continue.
In a post on X on Friday, Maliwal traced her journey from the RTI and Anna movements to the formation of the AAP, saying she had worked with “complete honesty and devotion.”
“With great sorrow today, I must say that the principles, values, and resolve for honest politics with which we began this journey have been abandoned by Arvind Kejriwal ji and… the entire Aam Aadmi Party,” she wrote.
She reiterated allegations of assault and intimidation, claiming that the individual involved was protected and rewarded, and that she faced threats after raising the issue.
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