Swati Maliwal formally joins BJP in presence of Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva

Pic/PTI

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday during an event held in New Delhi. The induction took place in the presence of Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, marking a significant political shift in the national capital.

Maliwal, who previously served as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and held key responsibilities in Delhi's governance ecosystem, confirmed that her decision to join the BJP was voluntary and driven by her long-standing observation of the party's work.

Decision driven by ideological alignment, not pressure

Addressing reporters after joining the BJP, Maliwal emphasised that her move was not influenced by any external pressure or compulsion. She stated that her decision stemmed from a consistent interest in the party's governance approach and policy direction.

Reflecting on her tenure as the chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, Maliwal noted that she maintained a neutral and independent approach while in office. She also acknowledged receiving support from BJP leaders during her time in the role, which contributed to shaping her perception of the party.

She described the occasion as a significant moment in her political journey and expressed gratitude towards the BJP leadership, adding that she intends to contribute actively to the development of Delhi.

Criticism of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP governance

Maliwal also launched a sharp critique of the Aam Aadmi Party and its leadership under Arvind Kejriwal. She alleged that the party's decade-long governance in Delhi was marked by administrative lapses and corruption.

According to Maliwal, residents of Delhi faced persistent challenges related to poor infrastructure, inadequate water supply, and a lack of basic civic amenities. She argued that these issues reflected systemic shortcomings in governance over the past ten years.

Acknowledges recent development efforts under Rekha Gupta

While criticising the previous administration, Maliwal also acknowledged recent development efforts under the BJP-led government in Delhi. She referred to the work undertaken since 2025 under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, stating that progress has been made in addressing long-standing issues.

However, she added that there remains significant work to be done and stressed the importance of collective efforts to improve governance and infrastructure in the capital.

Part of broader political shift involving multiple MPs

Maliwal's entry into the BJP comes days after a major political development in which several former AAP Rajya Sabha MPs aligned with the party. The group includes Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Harbhajan Singh, and Rajinder Gupta.

The move is being viewed as a significant realignment in Delhi's political landscape, with potential implications for future electoral dynamics and governance in the national capital.

(With inputs from Agencies)