'Abandoned all ideals, Kejriwal practising goonda-style politics'; Swati Maliwal lashes out

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has come down heavily on former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal. Her remarks came after she left AAP and joined the BJP. Maliwal, who accused Kejriwal of practising “goonda-style politics,” also alleged that in 2024, she was assaulted at his residence by his personal assistant, Bibhav Kumar.

She further claimed that she was under heavy pressure to withdraw the FIR filed in the case. According to her, she was not allowed to speak in Parliament for the past two years. Maliwal also criticised AAP's move to label the MPs who left the party as “traitors” and expel them from the Rajya Sabha, adding that Kejriwal himself is the “real traitor.”

Maliwal said that Kejriwal, who came to power through an anti-corruption movement, has now abandoned all his ideals. She also alleged that AAP treats Punjab, the state it governs, as its “personal ATM.”

Meanwhile, she stated that she joined the BJP because of her trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She added that Modi is one of the most popular leaders in the world and has taken historic decisions, including the Women’s Reservation Bill and efforts to end Naxalism.