New Delhi [India]: Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of being indifferent to Delhi’s worsening garbage problem. She criticized the former Delhi Chief Minister, alleging that he has transformed from an “Aam Aadmi (Common Man)” to a “Khaas Aadmi (VIP)” who ignores the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Maliwal’s Protest Outside Kejriwal’s Residence
In a dramatic protest, Maliwal dumped garbage outside Kejriwal’s residence to highlight the issue, following which she was briefly detained by the police. Speaking to ANI, she said:
“Arvind Kejriwal has turned Delhi into a garbage dump. There is garbage everywhere—in sewers, on roads, and outside people’s houses. However, Kejriwal doesn’t care because he is no longer an Aam Aadmi, but a Khaas Aadmi.”
Maliwal explained that her actions were aimed at holding Kejriwal accountable for the deteriorating hygiene conditions in the city.
“We went outside the residence of Arvind Kejriwal and dumped the garbage there to make him realize how the people of Delhi are feeling… so that his eyes open and he works for the people.”
She added:
“I work only for the benefit of the people of Delhi. I am not afraid of his goons or the police. An FIR is also being lodged against me, but I am not afraid of them.”
Maliwal’s Visit to Vikaspuri, Criticism of AAP’s Governance
Earlier in the day, Maliwal visited New Delhi’s Vikaspuri area, where she interacted with residents about hygiene conditions and the impact of poor waste management on their lives. She urged locals to take matters into their own hands, asking them to clean the area themselves due to government inaction.
Taking a swipe at Kejriwal’s official residence, she stated:
“The Kejriwal government is not doing anything apart from living in his Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace).”
This remark referred to the controversy surrounding the ₹45 crore renovation of Kejriwal’s residence, which has been a major talking point in recent months.
“Don’t Make Delhi Like Sudan”: Maliwal’s Earlier Attack on AAP
Maliwal’s protest follows a series of recent attacks against the AAP-led Delhi government over poor infrastructure and lack of basic amenities.
“We don’t need to make Delhi like Sudan,” she said on Monday, drawing attention to the state of roads, sewers, and drinking water quality in the city.
She further alleged:
“Delhi has never been in a worse condition. Roads are broken, sewers are overflowing, heaps of garbage are everywhere, and people are getting contaminated water in their homes.”
Political Context: Delhi Assembly Elections on February 5
Maliwal’s protest comes just days ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5, with results to be announced on February 8.
- AAP’s Dominance: The Aam Aadmi Party has swept the last two assembly elections, winning 67 out of 70 seats in 2015 and 62 seats in 2020.
- BJP’s Struggles: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has remained a distant second, securing three seats in 2015 and eight seats in 2020.
- Congress in Decline: Once dominant in Delhi under Sheila Dikshit, the Congress Party has failed to win a single seat in the last two elections.
As AAP faces criticism over governance issues, and BJP and Congress aim to regain ground, Maliwal’s protest adds further intensity to an already high-stakes electoral battle.