*New Delhi, September 17, 2024* – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded the resignation of Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal after her controversial remarks criticizing Atishi, the newly announced Chief Minister of Delhi. Atishi is set to replace Arvind Kejriwal as the head of the Delhi government, a decision that has stirred dissent within the party.Senior AAP leader Dilip Pandey led the call for Maliwal’s resignation, accusing her of betraying the party’s trust and aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “Swati Maliwal takes a Rajya Sabha ticket from the AAP but reads out the BJP’s script,” Pandey declared in a public statement. “If she has even a shred of dignity, she should resign as a Rajya Sabha MP and seek a BJP ticket for her next political venture.”Maliwal, known for her outspoken nature, has been at odds with the party in recent months. The internal rift intensified after Maliwal alleged that Bibhav Kumar, a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal, had assaulted her at the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence. Following the accusation, Maliwal accused the AAP leadership of victim-shaming and undermining her credibility.The controversy escalated when Maliwal openly criticized the appointment of Atishi as the next Chief Minister of Delhi. In a series of social media posts, Maliwal described Atishi’s elevation to the top post as a “sad day for Delhi.” She also made serious allegations, claiming that Atishi’s family had once opposed the execution of convicted terrorist Afzal Guru, a figure central to India’s anti-terror narrative. Maliwal went further to label Atishi as a “dummy CM” and accused her parents of being involved in a political conspiracy.Maliwal’s statements have drawn widespread condemnation from AAP leaders, who view her actions as damaging to the party’s unity at a critical time. With the party preparing for upcoming elections and navigating leadership transitions, the public spat between Maliwal and the AAP leadership underscores deeper internal divisions.Atishi, a key figure in AAP’s education reforms and a long-time close associate of Kejriwal, has not yet responded directly to Maliwal’s allegations. However, her appointment as Chief Minister is seen by many as a strategic move by the party to maintain its hold on Delhi’s governance while addressing growing demands for new leadership.The future of Swati Maliwal within AAP remains uncertain, as the party grapples with internal challenges and increasing pressure to resolve the discord before it impacts its political prospects.