‘Kejriwal is known for gundagardi’: Swati Maliwal confirms joining BJP amid AAP exodus

In a dramatic political upheaval that could reshape the balance of power in Parliament, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been rocked by a sweeping defection in its Rajya Sabha ranks, with senior leader Swati Maliwal confirming her move to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and launching an unprecedented public attack on party chief Arvind Kejriwal.

Maliwal, once considered a close confidante of Kejriwal and a long-time associate since the anti-corruption movement days, did not hold back as she announced her exit. Watch the video below:

In a blistering statement, she accused the AAP leadership of fostering a culture of “corruption and gundagardi,” alleging that she had faced physical assault, intimidation, and systematic silencing within the party.

“I worked with Arvind Kejriwal for years and stood by him through every struggle. But I was beaten in my own house, threatened when I spoke up, and pressured to withdraw my complaint,” Maliwal said, adding that she was denied opportunities to speak in Parliament for nearly two years.

She further described Kejriwal as “anti-women,” turning her departure into one of the most explosive personal indictments the party has faced since its inception.

Her exit was not an isolated development but part of a coordinated and high-impact political shift.

In a move that has stunned political observers, two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs have broken ranks, effectively triggering a major split in the party’s parliamentary presence.

Among those who joined the BJP are prominent figures such as Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, and Rajinder Gupta.

The scale of the defection marks one of the most significant setbacks for AAP in recent years, raising serious questions about internal cohesion and leadership stability.

The departure of key parliamentary voices not only weakens the party’s position in the Upper House but also dents its national ambitions at a time when it has been attempting to expand beyond its traditional strongholds.

The BJP, meanwhile, moved swiftly to capitalise on the moment. The defecting leaders were formally inducted at the party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of senior leadership, signalling a strategic gain for the ruling party.

Welcoming the new entrants, BJP leaders framed the development as an endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance model and vision for a “Viksit Bharat.”

Maliwal herself echoed this sentiment, praising recent policy decisions and national security actions under the Modi government.

Her remarks suggested a clear ideological repositioning, as she aligned herself with the BJP’s narrative on governance and development. For AAP, however, the political fallout could be severe and long-lasting.

The sudden erosion of its Rajya Sabha strength is likely to impact its legislative strategy, while the public nature of the allegations threatens to damage its carefully cultivated image as a reform-driven alternative in Indian politics.

The crisis also places Kejriwal under intense scrutiny, both as a leader and as a national political figure.

With dissent now spilling into the open and key allies turning critics, AAP faces a defining moment that could determine its future trajectory.

As the dust settles, the message from this high-voltage political drama is clear: the battle for narrative, numbers, and national relevance has entered a far more volatile phase.