Swati Maliwal’s 'Cheer-Haran' dig at Kejriwal sparks political storm amid AAP’s Delhi rout
Swati Maliwal takes a veiled dig at Arvind Kejriwal with a 'Cheer-Haran' post as AAP suffers a crushing defeat in Delhi elections.
New Delhi:
Disgruntled AAP leader Swati Maliwal takes a veiled swipe at Arvind Kejriwal with a Mahabharata reference as BJP surges in Delhi elections.
As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) struggles to retain its grip on Delhi, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has added fuel to the fire with a cryptic yet powerful social media post. Maliwal, who has been at odds with the party leadership, shared an image of Draupadi’s "cheer-haran" from the Mahabharata, a metaphor for betrayal and humiliation leaving little doubt about who the target was.
With AAP facing a crushing electoral defeat and the BJP marching towards victory, Maliwal’s post has ignited a political debate. Though she provided no caption, the imagery itself spoke volumes, sparking intense speculation about her stance against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
The 'Cheer-Haran' post: A symbol of betrayal?
For those familiar with Hindu mythology, Draupadi’s disrobing represents injustice, helplessness, and betrayal at the hands of those in power a sentiment Maliwal has seemingly directed at AAP’s leadership.
Many political observers believe the timing of the post was intentional, given AAP’s near collapse in the elections. Social media exploded with interpretations, with some hailing Maliwal as a "whistleblower" against AAP’s internal politics, while others accused her of settling personal scores.
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) February 8, 2025
Adding to the drama, Maliwal followed up with another pointed remark:
"Ahankar Ravan ka bhi nahi bacha tha." (Even Ravan’s arrogance was crushed in the end.) This, many believe, was a direct jab at Kejriwal’s leadership style and alleged high-handedness.
'One man’s extreme arrogance': Maliwal’s scathing attack on Kejriwal
Maliwal didn’t stop at social media posts. In an interview with CNN-News18, she launched a scathing attack on Arvind Kejriwal, blaming his "extreme arrogance" for AAP’s downfall. "One man’s extreme arrogance, his sudden change with power and money from a common man to someone who wants to control everything."She also reminded voters of her alleged assault at the hands of Kejriwal’s close aide, Bibhav Kumar."I was beaten up black and blue by Kejriwal’s men, and no one came to help me,"she claimed.
She further slammed AAP’s governance, saying, "Delhi is in shambles. The water reaching households is dirty, garbage is everywhere, and the Aam Aadmi Party is more focused on theatrics than real governance."Her remarks resonated with a section of disgruntled voters, who felt let down by AAP’s leadership in the wake of multiple controversies.
AAP’s internal crisis: Swati Maliwal’s role in the fallout
Swati Maliwal’s fallout with AAP began in 2024 when she accused Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her inside the Chief Minister’s residence.While an FIR was lodged, Kejriwal’s silence on the matter led to a rift within the party, alienating Maliwal further.
After the incident, she distanced herself from AAP’s election campaign, and in the months leading up to the elections, she was seen actively engaging with BJP leaders, further fueling speculations about a possible defection.
With AAP’s worst electoral performance in a decade, Maliwal’s attacks have only amplified the party’s crisis. While Kejriwal has yet to respond, AAP leaders have dismissed her statements as "personal grievances being mistaken for political analysis."
Is Swati Maliwal AAP’s biggest internal threat?
Maliwal’s latest outburst comes at a pivotal moment for Delhi politics. With BJP making deep inroads and AAP losing its traditional strongholds, the party now faces a major leadership and credibility crisis.
Key questions emerge:
1. Will Swati Maliwal formally quit AAP?
2. Is she positioning herself for a switch to BJP or a new political role?
3. How will Kejriwal handle dissent within his party as AAP’s influence wanes?
For now, one thing is clear that Swati Maliwal is not going down quietly. With AAP on shaky ground, her rebellion could be the final nail in the coffin for Kejriwal’s political dominance in Delhi.
