NEW DELHI: Swati Maliwal, a former aide to Arvind Kejriwal and now a member of the BJP, made strong allegations against her former boss on Saturday. She claimed that prior to becoming Chief Minister, Kejriwal wore “torn pants,” used a “two-rupee pen,” and drove a “dilapidated car.” However, she asserted that after assuming power in Delhi, he constructed a house valued at around one hundred crores.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Maliwal highlighted the contrasting phases of Kejriwal’s life. Her critical remarks followed a rebellion led by Raghav Chadha against the party leadership, which resulted in a significant faction of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) merging with the BJP.
Maliwal expressed her disillusionment, stating, “If anyone is a traitor, it’s Arvind Kejriwal. When he started his movement, he wore torn pants, used a two-rupee pen, and drove around in a completely dilapidated car. We were all inspired, thinking that this man would bring change to the country.”
Continuing her critique, she said, “During the movement, he showed the entire country so many big, sweet dreams, and the country was impressed. But what did he do? As soon as he came to power, he built a house worth a hundred crores. He added a bar, installed carpets worth crores, and bought a refrigerator costing lakhs and crores. His sofa is so luxurious. And now, after the people of Delhi defeated him, he has moved to Punjab.”
Maliwal also attacked the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging misuse of power and resources. She remarked, “They’re using Punjab like an ATM. The man they had me beaten up by was given Z-plus security. Today, he’s been appointed Bhagwant Mann’s chief advisor… The man who used to speak out against VIP protocol, when his convoy moves out, we’re counting fifty cars, but it goes above fifty.”
Maliwal characterized actions against one’s core principles as treason, stating, “And there’s no bigger traitor than Arvind Kejriwal.”
The recent departure of seven AAP members from the Rajya Sabha has posed a significant challenge to the party leadership. Alongside Chadha, leaders such as Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal announced their exit from AAP, a party that emerged from the anti-corruption movement led by activist Anna Hazare in 2012.
