AAP asks Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal to quit following controversial Atishi remarks

PTC News Desk: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called for the resignation of Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal following her controversial comments about senior AAP leader Atishi, who was recently announced as the next Chief Minister of Delhi. Senior AAP leader Dilip Pandey criticized Maliwal for allegedly aligning with the BJP despite being elected to the Rajya Sabha through AAP support.

"Swati Maliwal takes the Rajya Sabha seat from AAP but follows the BJP’s script. If she has any shame, she should step down from her position as an MP and seek election on a BJP ticket," Pandey remarked.

Earlier in the day, AAP confirmed Atishi’s nomination to succeed Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister. Kejriwal, following his bail in the Delhi liquor policy case last Friday, announced his decision to step down, stating that he would not hold the office until his party regained the public’s trust in the upcoming elections.

Atishi's appointment drew sharp criticism from Maliwal, who called it a "sad day for Delhi." Maliwal alleged that Atishi’s family had a history of supporting terrorist Afzal Guru, claiming they had filed mercy petitions to prevent his execution.

"Today is a very sad day for Delhi. A woman whose family fought to save terrorist Afzal Guru is being made Chief Minister. Her parents wrote mercy petitions to the President to stop Afzal Guru's execution," Maliwal claimed.

She further accused Atishi of being a "dummy CM" and stated that her family believed Afzal Guru was wrongfully implicated in a political conspiracy. Maliwal concluded her remarks by expressing concern over the future security of Delhi under Atishi’s leadership.

Atishi, who currently serves as Delhi's Education Minister, has yet to respond to Maliwal’s statements.