New Delhi, Apr 28: Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Tuesday said that her decision to leave AAP and join the BJP was voluntary and inspired by the work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Maliwal, who had a bitter falling out with AAP leadership in 2024, is part of the group of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs in the Upper House who have merged with the BJP.
She visited the Delhi BJP office on Tuesday, where she was formally inducted into the party in the presence of Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva, MoS Harsh Malhotra, MP Yogender Chandolia, and Delhi BJP General Secretary Vishnu Mittal.
“I am deeply influenced by the historic work done for the nation by PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Taking inspiration from them, I have joined the BJP,” Maliwal told reporters on why she joined the saffron party.
Maliwal said that while working as chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, she received ample support from the BJP and that she did not join the party out of any compulsion.
“It was not my compulsion to join this party, but I have been following all the work being done with keen interest… I am grateful to god and also to the entire BJP leadership. I will work for Delhi with even more strength and backing,” she said.
Lashing out at AAP, Maliwal alleged that its chief Arvind Kejriwal, who led the Delhi government for nearly two terms, “looted” Delhi and “ruined” the national capital’s infrastructure.
“Roads were in bad shape; the water supply was affected. Delhiites were struggling for basic amenities during the AAP rule. In the last two years, the Rekha Gupta government has tried to resolve these issues,” Maliwal said.
She dubbed as “drama” Kejriwal announcing his decision not to appear in the excise case personally or through a lawyer before High Court judge Swarana Kanta Sharma and to follow the “path of Satyagraha”
“Arvind Kejriwal is used to doing this ‘drama’, and it is nothing new. Because of this habit, not just Arvind Kejriwal, but the entire AAP is known across the country for its drama, lies, hooliganism and corruption.”
She added, “Now that he has reached the Raj Ghat, he should ponder upon why he is raising questions on the PM and on the judiciary. These are personal attacks. This is why I have joined the BJP, and now I will work for the benefit of the people of Delhi.”
Maliwal, who has been attacking AAP leadership over several issues, had in May 2024 alleged that the then chief minister Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar had assaulted her at the CM’s residence. (PTI)
