AAP jolted as Swati Maliwal joins BJP, says Arvind Kejriwal doing ‘gundagardi’

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered another major setback on Saturday as Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a day after senior leader Raghav Chadha made a similar switch.

Her defection, coming within 24 hours of Chadha’s exit, marks a significant blow to AAP’s leadership ranks and signals deepening internal fissures within the party ahead of key political battles. Seven of AAP’s 10 Rajya Sabha including businessman.

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Announcing her move, Maliwal said her decision was driven by conviction rather than compulsion, while launching a scathing personal and political attack on AAP chief Kejriwal.

“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,” she said.

Maliwal, who had been associated with Kejriwal since 2006 and was a prominent face during the anti-corruption movement, alleged that she faced intimidation and violence 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.

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Escalating her attack, Maliwal accused the AAP leadership of misgovernance in Punjab, alleging centralised control and corruption.

“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 added.

Drawing a contrast with the BJP leadership, Maliwal praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, citing key policy decisions and national security actions.

“On the other hand, we have PM Modi, who is the most popular leader in the world. Be it during Operation Sindoor, when we killed enemies by entering their homes and ending Naxalism in the nation, or introducing the women’s reservation bill in Parliament, PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have taken historic decisions for the development of the nation,” she said.