Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has announced that she will not resign from the party despite a fallout following her accusation that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, assaulted her.
Maliwal alleged that the assault occurred on May 13 at Kejriwal’s residence when she went to meet him. Kumar is currently in judicial custody after being booked by the police.
In an interview, Maliwal expressed her frustration, stating, “If I was not speaking the truth, maybe relations could have been mended. Despite being beaten up, I tried to compose myself because of the ongoing election. They have harmed the women’s movement by victim shaming. I will stay in the party because I have given it my sweat and blood too.”
Maliwal revealed that AAP leaders warned her she would be portrayed as a BJP agent if she filed a complaint. Despite this, she submitted a formal complaint three days after the incident. She noted that Kejriwal has not reached out to her since the alleged assault, adding, “I would have still filed a police complaint. That relationship would have remained intact.”
Addressing the incident’s circumstances, Maliwal said she visited Kejriwal to support him post-jail trauma and discuss further contributions to the party. She denied rumors that her US trip in March soured relations with AAP. Maliwal believes the alleged assault could have been orchestrated, suspecting deeper motives within the party.
Maliwal remains firm in her stance, refusing to withdraw her complaint even if Kejriwal apologizes. She emphasized the need for accountability and transparency within AAP.
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