- Swati Maliwal quits AAP, joins BJP, accuses Kejriwal of assault.
- Maliwal claims pressure to drop FIR after alleged assault at home.
Swati Maliwal on Friday announced her exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and confirmed that she has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), launching a sharp attack on former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being “anti-women.”
Talking with ANI, Maliwal said she had been associated with Kejriwal since 2006 and supported him through multiple movements, but alleged that she was assaulted at her own residence and later pressured to withdraw the FIR she filed over the incident. She also claimed that she was denied opportunities to speak in Parliament for two years.
“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,” Maliwal said.
#WATCH | Delhi | On joining BJP, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal says, “…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”
“I have left the AAP and joined the BJP.… pic.twitter.com/3SB4V441kl
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2026
Accusing Kejriwal of being “anti-women,” Maliwal further alleged that the AAP leadership was misusing power in Punjab, claiming the state government was being “remotely controlled” and that issues like illegal sand mining and drug abuse were on the rise.
She also alleged that cases were filed against leaders who raised their voices against the party and accused Kejriwal of corruption and “gundagardi” (hooliganism).
“Arvind Kejriwal is anti-women. 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’,” Maliwal said.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Maliwal said their leadership had taken “historic decisions” for the country’s development, citing initiatives such as the women’s reservation bill and security operations.
Maliwal asserted that her decision to join the BJP was voluntary and based on her belief in Modi’s leadership. She also appealed to those interested in “constructive politics” to join the BJP.
“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.
Raghav Chadha on Friday along with other six members joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is pertinent to mention that this development came ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections 2027.
Maliwal called Kejriwal “traitor” and said that the man who showed big dreams to public has built a house worth a hundred crores, added a bar, installed carpets worth crores, bought a refrigerator costing lakhs and crores, had luxurious sofa And now, after the people of Delhi defeated him, he has moved to Punjab.
#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
“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…” Maliwal said.
