Have turned Punjab into an ATM: Rebel AAP MP Swati Maliwal opens front against Punjab govt

‘Rebel’ Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal played a major role in party’s electoral debacle in the National Capital, in a marked avenge for the infamous incident at the residence of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal where she was manhandled, disrespected and brutally assaulted. Now, she has taken to X to declare that she has opened a new front against her political outfit in the border state of Punjab which is slated to go for polls in the next election cycles. 

Taking to X, Maliwal took an apparent dig at the party’s government in the state saying that some people have turned Punjab into their personal ATM, an exploitation which she emphasised needed to be stopped. Given that the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government is in power in Punjab, her statement has sparked political discussions.

Since May 2024, relations between AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Swati Maliwal have been strained. Maliwal had openly criticised Kejriwal following AAP’s defeat in the Delhi elections. Now, her latest post has further highlighted her rebel her stance against the party she has been associated with, since its inception. 

Swati Maliwal took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote: “Some people have turned Punjab into their personal ATM. Illegal sand mining, transfers-postings, and real estate—this loot must be stopped.”

Although she did not explicitly name the Punjab government, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, or any other individuals, her recent criticism of the Delhi AAP government suggests that her target is likely the Punjab administration. In his government stint, Mann Sarkar has faced multiple corruption allegations, leading to the resignations of a few ministers in the past.

Following AAP’s defeat in Delhi, political unrest is brewing in Punjab as well. Speculation is rife that Arvind Kejriwal may contest elections in Punjab or could possibly make politcal manourverings to somehow become the state’s Chief Minister. Various arguments have been put forth regarding Kejriwal contesting a bye-election in Punjab.

Political analysts believe that Swati Maliwal played a role in AAP’s defeat in Delhi. After the party’s loss, she did not hold back in criticizing Kejriwal, even likening him to Ravana in a veiled dig and calling him arrogant. Given these developments, it wouldn’t be surprising if Maliwal’s next battleground after Delhi is Punjab.

Did Swati Maliwal rejoice after AAP’s defeat in Delhi?

After AAP’s defeat in the Delhi elections, Swati Maliwal had remarked, “Arrogance and pride never last long. Even Ravana’s arrogance was shattered, so who is Arvind Kejriwal? History is proof that whenever injustice has been done to a woman, God has ensured punishment for the wrongdoers.”

She further added, Delhi has become a garbage dump. Roads are in poor condition, people are receiving dirty, foul-smelling water, drains are overflowing, garbage is piled up everywhere, air pollution is at an all-time high, and the Yamuna River remains polluted. The public was fed up with these issues, which is why Arvind Kejriwal lost his own seat.”

She also asserted, “These people thought they could do anything to others. They did everything possible against me—gave Z-plus security to the person who assaulted me, provided him with a government bungalow in Lutyens’ Zone, and made him the most powerful person in Punjab. They spread so many lies and falsehoods. But I believe the people of Delhi are wise, and they saw the truth. They responded through their votes.”

Swati Maliwal’s Reference to the “Disrobing” Incident

Following AAP’s election loss, Maliwal posted an image on X depicting the scene of Draupadi’s disrobing from the Hindu epic of Mahabharat, where Lord Krishna extends her a saree with an endless fibre to protect her honour. This was widely interpreted as a reference to the physical assault she endured at former CM Kejriwal’s official residence, and she had alleged that it was all done at the beheast of CM. Later, she made another post, stating, “Even Ravana’s arrogance couldn’t save him….”

She remarked that when a person becomes so cruel that he gets a woman assaulted in his own home and then uses the entire system to tarnish her reputation and destroy her completely, consequences follow. Regarding AAP’s defeat, Maliwal asserted that it was divine justice against Kejriwal.