New Delhi: In a sharp attack on her former party leader, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has accused Arvind Kejriwal of betraying the core ideals of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) by moving from a humble “aam aadmi” image to one of alleged extravagance.
Maliwal, who recently quit the AAP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with other senior leaders including Raghav Chadha, recalled Kejriwal’s early days during the 2011-12 anti-corruption movement. At that time, Kejriwal projected himself as an ordinary citizen, often seen in simple or even torn clothes and using a basic pen.
“Wore torn pants earlier, built Rs 100-crore house as CM,” Maliwal said, contrasting his past austerity with the lavish renovations allegedly carried out at his official residence in Delhi. The remark refers to the long-standing “Sheesh Mahal” controversy surrounding the extensive upgrades to the Chief Minister’s residence at 6, Flagstaff Road. Critics, including the BJP, have claimed that crores were spent on luxury fittings, high-end curtains, kitchen equipment, and structural extensions, with some estimates and allegations putting the total cost at ₹45-100 crore or more.
Maliwal has also pointed to similar alleged luxury arrangements in Punjab, describing a large bungalow allotted under the CM quota as a potential “Sheesh Mahal 2.0,” originally positioned as a camp office.
Fallout and Serious Allegations
Maliwal’s exit from AAP follows a bitter public fallout that intensified after May 2024, when she alleged that Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar physically assaulted her at the Chief Minister’s residence. She claimed the incident occurred “on his signal” and accused the party of shielding the aide while pressuring her.
In her statements after leaving the party, Maliwal described Kejriwal as the “biggest traitor” and accused AAP of corruption, anti-women bias, lack of internal democracy, and deviation from its founding principles of transparency and public service. She said she had been associated with the movement since 2006 and had made significant personal sacrifices, only to face threats and betrayal later.
Political Reactions
The AAP has dismissed Maliwal’s allegations as politically motivated and timed after her decision to switch sides, labelling the defectors as “traitors.” The party has defended the renovations at the CM’s residence as necessary maintenance or exaggerated claims by opponents.
The BJP, on the other hand, has welcomed Maliwal and amplified her criticism, using it as fresh ammunition to highlight what it calls AAP’s hypocrisy on issues of corruption and simplicity.
The “Sheesh Mahal” issue has remained a recurring political flashpoint in Delhi and Punjab, often cited alongside other controversies including CAG observations and enforcement cases. While official figures for renovation costs are sometimes cited as lower, political opponents continue to allege hidden expenditures and irregularities.
Maliwal’s high-profile defection and vocal criticism represent a significant setback for AAP’s image as a party rooted in anti-corruption and simplicity, especially ahead of key electoral battles. The episode underscores the deepening internal rifts and personal animosities within what was once seen as a tightly-knit political outfit.
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