24 April,2026 09:48 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Swati Maliwal. Pic/X
In a significant political development, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Friday announced her resignation from the Aam Aadmi Party, alleging that the party under its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has strayed from its founding ideals and core values.
In a detailed statement shared on social media, Maliwal said the party had moved away from the principles of transparency and clean politics that defined its early years. She expressed disappointment over what she described as a shift in priorities under Kejriwal's leadership.
She said her political journey began with grassroots activism, including participation in the Right to Information movement and the anti-corruption campaign led by Anna Hazare, which eventually led to the formation of AAP.
Maliwal also made serious allegations regarding her personal experience within the party, claiming that she faced misconduct and that efforts were made to shield those responsible. She further accused the leadership of failing to adequately address issues related to women's safety and internal accountability.
According to her, there has been a rise in what she termed as "unchecked corruption" and the promotion of individuals with questionable backgrounds within the party structure.
Her resignation comes amid a larger political upheaval within AAP, with multiple Rajya Sabha MPs exiting the party. Earlier in the day, Raghav Chadha, along with Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, announced that a group of MPs had decided to leave the party and align with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The leaders claimed that a majority of AAP's representation in the Rajya Sabha had backed the move, signalling a major split within the party.
Maliwal said she would provide more details about her decision and allegations after returning to Delhi later in the day. Her exit adds to the growing list of senior leaders distancing themselves from the party.
The developments mark a significant challenge for AAP, which has built its political identity around anti-corruption and governance reforms. The simultaneous exit of multiple MPs and allegations from within the party are likely to intensify scrutiny of its leadership and internal functioning.
As the situation unfolds, the party faces mounting pressure to respond to the allegations and stabilise its organisational structure ahead of future political contests.
