New Delhi [India], February 9: Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has criticized AAP leader Atishi after a video surfaced showing her celebrating her victory in the Kalkaji constituency during the recent Delhi Assembly elections.
Swati Maliwal, who has been a vocal critic of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), shared the video on social media, expressing her disapproval of Atishi’s actions. In the video, Atishi is seen dancing and celebrating with supporters following her win. Maliwal, in a scathing post, referred to the celebration as a “shameless display” in light of the party’s overall defeat in the elections.
“What kind of shameless display is this? The party lost, all the big leaders lost, and Atishi Marlena is celebrating like this?” Maliwal wrote on X, questioning the appropriateness of the celebration.
Atishi had won the Kalkaji seat in a tight contest, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri by a margin of 3,521 votes. While acknowledging her personal victory, Atishi conceded that AAP faced a significant defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, and vowed to continue fighting against the BJP.
Atishi’s victory was a bright spot for AAP, especially after several prominent leaders, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and ex-Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, lost their respective constituencies. Kejriwal’s defeat was particularly notable as BJP’s Parvesh Verma emerged victorious in New Delhi, with a margin of over 4,000 votes.
Swati Maliwal also took the opportunity to criticize AAP’s leadership, including Kejriwal, making a pointed reference to the assault case involving AAP’s chief, where she had previously accused Kejriwal’s personal aide, Bibhav Kumar, of assaulting her. Despite her ongoing criticism of AAP and Kejriwal, Maliwal, notably, has not left the party.
“If we look at history, anyone who wrongs a woman will eventually face divine punishment,” she remarked, in an apparent veiled reference to her allegations. She also launched a fierce attack on Kejriwal, likening him to “Ravan,” and stating that his pride, like Ravan’s, had been shattered.
The BJP emerged victorious in the Delhi Assembly elections, winning 47 seats, and securing a historic mandate to return to power in the national capital after 27 years. AAP, on the other hand, was left with just 22 seats. Meanwhile, the Congress failed to win any seats, continuing its poor performance in Delhi politics.
With the BJP’s sweeping victory, the party consolidated its dominance in national politics, having already secured major wins in Maharashtra and Haryana in recent months.