Swati Maliwal AAP Protest : Amid a heated political controversy, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal has voiced her discontent over the party’s protest march against the BJP, juxtaposing it with her own alleged assault by Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar.
“If Manish Sisodia Was Here…”: Swati Maliwal’s Post Amid AAP Protest Call
The Background
Arvind Kejriwal has announced a protest march to the BJP headquarters in response to a series of arrests of AAP leaders. This political move has garnered mixed reactions, particularly from within the party and its supporters. Swati Maliwal, a prominent AAP MP, took to social media to express her disappointment and shed light on her recent ordeal.
Swati Maliwal’s Allegations
Swati Maliwal’s recent post on X highlights her dismay at the current state of affairs within AAP. Reflecting on the party’s earlier activism, Maliwal pointed out the stark contrast between their past and present actions. She recalled how AAP had fervently protested for justice during the 2012 Delhi gangrape case, famously known as the Nirbhaya case. However, she noted that the same fervor is now being used to protect an accused within the party.
“There was a time when he hit the streets to get justice for Nirbhaya. Twelve years later, they are hitting the streets to save an accused who deleted CCTV footage and formatted the phone,” Maliwal wrote.
The Assault Allegations
Swati Maliwal has accused Bibhav Kumar, a close aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, of physical assault. She claimed that Kumar slapped her multiple times and kicked her during a visit to the Chief Minister’s residence on May 13. This incident has led to Kumar’s arrest, with allegations that he tampered with CCTV footage at the CM’s residence and formatted his phone to destroy evidence.
Manish Sisodia’s Absence
In her social media post, Maliwal also lamented the absence of Manish Sisodia, Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister, who has been in jail for over a year in connection with a money laundering case linked to Delhi’s now-scrapped liquor policy.
“I wish they had tried so hard for Manish Sisodia. If he was here, maybe something so bad would not have happened to me,” she said.
AAP’s Response and Political Reactions
The AAP leadership has been quick to frame Maliwal’s allegations within the larger political struggle they claim to be facing. AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi suggested that Maliwal’s case is part of a broader conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP.
“Anti-Corruption Bureau of the BJP has filed a case against Swati Maliwal regarding the illegal recruitment of contractual employees in DCW… we believe that Swati Maliwal is being included in the conspiracy by using this case,” Atishi stated.
However, the BJP has vehemently denied these allegations, calling the incident “shameful” and urging Arvind Kejriwal to address the issue publicly. Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta stated:
“Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should break his silence on this matter because he was present at that time in that house. A woman has been assaulted in that house.”
The Protest March
Amidst these allegations and counter-allegations, Arvind Kejriwal has announced a protest march to the BJP headquarters, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of targeting AAP leaders.
“They are after our party and sending our leaders to jail one after another… Today you have sent my PA (Bibhav Kumar) to jail,” Kejriwal said at a press meet, adding that the BJP has threatened to jail more AAP leaders.
Conclusion : Swati Maliwal AAP Protest
The ongoing turmoil within AAP, marked by Swati Maliwal’s allegations and the party’s broader political maneuvers, reflects a critical juncture for the party. As the protest march to the BJP headquarters unfolds, it remains to be seen how these internal and external pressures will shape the future of AAP and its leaders.
FAQ: AAP Protest Call and Swati Maliwal’s Allegations
1. What is the reason behind the AAP protest march?
- The AAP protest march is being organized in response to the arrests of several AAP leaders and allegations against the BJP for targeting the party.
2. Who is Swati Maliwal?
- Swati Maliwal is an AAP MP and the former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women.
3. What are the allegations made by Swati Maliwal?
- Swati Maliwal has accused Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, of physical assault, claiming he slapped and kicked her during a visit to the Chief Minister’s residence.
4. What did Swati Maliwal say about the protest march?
- Swati Maliwal criticized the protest, stating that AAP is now hitting the streets to protect an accused within their party, contrasting it with their earlier activism for justice.
5. Who is Bibhav Kumar?
- Bibhav Kumar is a former personal secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the main accused in the assault case against Swati Maliwal.
6. What actions have been taken against Bibhav Kumar?
- Bibhav Kumar has been arrested and is in police custody for allegedly assaulting Swati Maliwal and tampering with evidence.
7. What was the response of the Delhi Police regarding the allegations?
- The Delhi Police have stated that Bibhav Kumar may have tampered with CCTV footage and formatted his phone to destroy evidence.
8. How did Swati Maliwal connect Manish Sisodia to her situation?
- Swati Maliwal expressed that if Manish Sisodia, who is in jail, were present, her assault might not have occurred, highlighting her dismay over the lack of support.
9. Why is Manish Sisodia in jail?
- Manish Sisodia is in jail in connection with a money laundering case linked to Delhi’s now-scrapped liquor policy.
10. How has the BJP reacted to the incident?
- The BJP has condemned the incident, calling it shameful, and urged Arvind Kejriwal to address the issue publicly.
11. What has AAP’s response been to the BJP’s allegations?
- AAP has accused the BJP of making Swati Maliwal part of a conspiracy and claims that the BJP is using this case to target AAP leaders.
12. What did Arvind Kejriwal say about the arrests of AAP leaders?
- Arvind Kejriwal accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of targeting AAP and sending their leaders to jail one after another.
13. Who else from AAP has been sent to jail recently?
- Apart from Manish Sisodia, AAP leaders Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh have also been sent to jail.
14. What was the reaction of AAP MP Sanjay Singh to the assault allegations?
- Sanjay Singh stated that the Chief Minister’s aide had misbehaved with Swati Maliwal and assured that strict action would be taken.
15. How did the BJP’s Delhi chief react to the incident?
- Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta welcomed the investigation against Bibhav Kumar and emphasized the need for strict action.
16. What has been Swati Maliwal’s role in the Delhi Commission for Women?
- Swati Maliwal has been an active advocate for women’s rights and has led several high-profile campaigns, including those for justice in the 2012 Delhi gangrape case.
17. What did Arvind Kejriwal announce at the press meet?
- Arvind Kejriwal announced the protest march to the BJP headquarters and accused the BJP of a systematic campaign to jail AAP leaders.
18. What did Atishi claim about Swati Maliwal’s case?
- Atishi claimed that the BJP is using Swati Maliwal’s case as part of a conspiracy against AAP, related to an earlier case filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
19. How has Swati Maliwal expressed her feelings about the current situation?
- Swati Maliwal has expressed deep disappointment, feeling betrayed by her party for not supporting her while she was allegedly assaulted by one of their own.
20. What does the future hold for AAP in light of these allegations and protests?
- The future of AAP will depend on how they navigate these internal controversies and external political pressures, as well as their ability to maintain public trust amid ongoing investigations and accusations.