Swati Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party, has been making headlines recently. There are allegations that Vibhav Kumar, an aide of Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, assaulted Swati Maliwal. Although previously enjoying a close relationship with the AAP, Swati Maliwal's tenure with the party and its leaders has swung from friendly to adversarial.
Following the assault case involving Vibhav Kumar, Delhi Police arrested him, and Swati's medical report confirmed the injuries. She claims they were inflicted during a dispute at the Chief Minister's residence on May 13th.
The AAP initially tried to amicably resolve the matter, but after Swati filed an FIR against Vibhav Kumar, the situation became public. It escalated into a significant political controversy, posing challenges for the AAP during the election season. Let's take a closer look at Swati Maliwal's journey with the AAP, from her close relations to the rifts that emerged.
With Kejriwal and Sisodia since 2006
Swati has been with Kejriwal for about two decades; she joined the 'Parivartan' NGO, headed by AAP leader and former minister Manish Sisodia in 2006 and began working closely with them. The NGO focused on streamlining ration distribution in various parts of Delhi. During Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, Swati stood firmly with Kejriwal, from strategizing to actively participating in protests, constantly being a core member of Kejriwal's group.
When did she meet Naveen Jaihind?
During this movement, she connected with former AAP leader Naveen Jaihind, also part of the campaign, and married him in January 2012. Swati also took part in large-scale protests against the UPA government in the wake of the Nirbhaya case.
Entered politics with Kejriwal
When Kejriwal parted ways with Anna Hazare and decided to enter mainstream politics, Swati also chose to join him. Kejriwal formed a government for 49 days in the national capital with the support of Congress in 2013. At that time, Swati neither contested elections nor was part of the government.
Became chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women
After Kejriwal resigned in 2014 and decided to contest against PM Modi in Varanasi, Swati actively campaigned in Varanasi. However, following a stark victory in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, Kejriwal became the Chief Minister, and Swati was appointed as the head of the Delhi Commission for Women. From conducting surprise inspections to sending notices to the Delhi Police on women's safety issues, Swati took charge on multiple fronts. When AAP won again in 2020, Swati remained as chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women.
Swati's work praised
Arvind Kejriwal appreciated Swati's work as the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women. Kejriwal supported Swati even when she went on a hunger strike at Samta Sthal, demanding capital punishment for rapists within six months.
Expressed concern for Kejriwal's health
When Kejriwal was arrested during the Delhi liquor scam, Swati, despite being out of India, demanded insulin for him and expressed concern for his health even while she was in the United States. Recently, she praised Sanjay Singh for securing bail in connection with the liquor scam.
Targeted Amit Malviya
On March 29th, when BJP leader Amit Malviya questioned Swati's absence during Kejriwal's arrest, she responded saying that she would soon return as her sister was undergoing treatment, reaffirming her support for Kejriwal even from a distance. 'Just wait a few more days, the IT cell is a factory of fake news. I was with Arvind Kejriwal before you even started speaking for the BJP, and I will keep troubling you,' she proclaimed.
AAP's accusations against Swati
In a recent turn of events, AAP leader and minister Atishi accused Swati Maliwal of playing into the BJP's hands. According to Atishi, it's a typical BJP pattern to register cases, then threaten with jail. Swati is facing charges in an illegal recruitment case filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch. There is an FIR against her, and she may be arrested. The AAP also demanded an investigation into Swati Maliwal's call records.
