Swati Maliwal, once a staunch supporter of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has increasingly become one of its most vocal critics following the party's crushing defeat in the recent Delhi Assembly elections. The election culminated with AAP managing to secure only 22 seats out of 70, marking a dramatic drop from the 62 seats it held previously, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took 48 seats. Despite her own party’s significant setback, Maliwal found herself at the center of controversy after AAP leader Atishi held celebrations for her own electoral victory.
The results, announced on February 8, 2025, showed not just AAP's decline but also highlighted individual wins overshadowed by disappointment. Maliwal wasted no time expressing her displeasure, taking to social media to voice her frustrations. She shared her feelings through powerful imagery, likening AAP's situation to Draupadi's cheerharan from the Mahabharata—an act of humiliation for the party. "What kind of shameless display is this? The party lost, all the big leaders lost and Atishi Marlena is celebrating like this?" Maliwal lamented, questioning the appropriateness of Atishi’s celebratory dance following her victory over BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.
Atishi managed to retain her Kalkaji seat, winning by 3,521 votes. This single victory paled against the backdrop of the overall electoral loss for AAP, which sent ripples of anger through Maliwal, who felt her party had lost touch with its electorate. The celebrations, she argued, failed to acknowledge the monumental defeat the party faced. "Atishi should be ashamed. Her party has suffered huge defeat… All their main leaders have lost," Maliwal admonished. Her remarks criticized Atishi's jubilant display as inappropriate considering the circumstances and highlighted the internal divisions within AAP.
Beyond internal criticisms, Maliwal has made broader claims about the party’s leadership, particularly targeting Arvind Kejriwal. She articulated her belief during public discussions, stating, "If a person becomes extremely arrogant and stops working for the people, then people teach them a lesson. That is exactly what has happened with Arvind Kejriwal today." Her critique suggested Kejriwal's governance style had become increasingly disconnected from the very constituents the party sought to serve.
Maliwal's frustrations do not stem solely from electoral losses. Earlier, she publicly accused Bibhav Kumar, Kejriwal’s aide, of physically assaulting her last May at the Chief Minister's residence. The lack of substantial action following her allegations only seemed to fuel more discontent within her toward Kejriwal's leadership. "God punishes those who commit crime against woman," Maliwal referenced cryptically, hinting at her own legal battles and feuds inside the party.
After the electoral results, Maliwal extended her critiques beyond social media, actively engaging with the community to address pressing civic issues. She visited various locations, including Vikaspuri and Burari, drawing attention to urban woes such as garbage piles and poor sanitation. By drawing public attention to these fundamental issues, she aimed to reignite focus on the core governance failures she now associates with AAP leadership.
Anyone following the AAP plight in the capital would recognize the rift forming between Maliwal and the leadership. Her determination to highlight discrepancies within the party demonstrates her resolve for reform and transparency. "The people who came to power to bring the Jan Lokpal did not even implement the existing precedents," Maliwal lamented, insisting on open accountability. She pushed for the immediate tabling of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report to clarify AAP’s financial dealings, underscoring her call for internal reform.
The drastic drop from 62 to 22 seats has left AAP leaders, including the usually buoyant Kejriwal, reeling. Reports of the BJP’s decisive victory reflect alarmingly on the opposition party, raising questions about the future and direction of AAP amid internal squabbles and public discontent. Atishi’s individual win, she acknowledged, was overshadowed by the party’s failure to secure confidence, leading to complicated dynamics within her party.
With Maliwal's outspoken disappointment and the overall electoral fallout, discussions surrounding AAP's internal politics are intensifying. The party now faces scrutiny not only over its policy direction but also internal democracy and accountability practices. The challenge for AAP's leaders will be to steer the party through this turbulent time and address Maliwal’s calls for reform effectively.
The harsh reality of the recent electoral defeat has reignited Maliwal’s commitment to demanding more from AAP leadership, as she urges for significant changes to reclaim the trust of the electorate. The big question remains: can AAP’s leadership adapt and respond to the growing discontent before the next election rolls around?