New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has suffered a massive defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections. This marks the end of its 10-year rule in the national capital. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to return to power in Delhi after 26 years.
AAP leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lost his New Delhi seat. He was defeated by BJP’s Parvesh Verma, who is seen as a potential chief ministerial candidate.
Amidst the political turmoil, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal’s social media post has gone viral. She shared an image of a painting depicting the ‘cheerharan’ (disrobing) of Draupadi from the Mahabharata.
Ms Maliwal was once a close associate of Mr Kejriwal but has become one of his strongest critics. She previously served as the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women. Over time, she has voiced her disappointment with Mr Kejriwal and AAP’s leadership.
In May 2024, Ms Maliwal accused Mr Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, of assaulting her at the Chief Minister’s residence. She claimed she was “beaten badly” while Mr Kejriwal was present in the house.
The rift deepened during the Haryana Assembly elections in October 2024. Ms Maliwal accused Mr Kejriwal of betraying the opposition INDIA Bloc by campaigning in Haryana. She claimed this move helped divide opposition votes.
Ahead of the Delhi elections, Ms Maliwal staged a protest outside Mr Kejriwal’s residence. She demanded action on issues such as the Yamuna River’s pollution, garbage problems, and poor infrastructure. She was later detained by the Delhi Police.
AAP’s defeat and Ms Maliwal’s viral post have sparked intense debate. The political landscape in Delhi is set for a major shift.
