Former AAP leader and current Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has publicly criticized the appointment of Atishi Marlena as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. Maliwal expressed her concerns on social media, calling it a "sad day for Delhi" and questioned Atishi's family's involvement in past controversial issues. Taking to social media platform X, Maliwal wrote, “Today is a very sad day for Delhi. The new CM is someone whose family fought long and hard to save terrorist Afzal Guru from the death penalty.” She went on to claim that Atishi’s parents had filed mercy petitions on behalf of Guru, labeling him innocent and a victim of political conspiracy. This sharp critique from Maliwal has reignited a political firestorm, with her also labeling Atishi a "dummy CM." Despite Atishi’s appointment, Maliwal implied that the real authority still lies elsewhere and raised concerns regarding national security, saying, “God save Delhi.”

Political Rivalry Resurfaces

This is not the first public clash between Maliwal and Atishi. Earlier, in a separate controversy, Atishi had accused Maliwal of being involved in an illegal recruitment case. Atishi claimed that Maliwal was being pressured by external forces to target the Delhi Chief Minister. The conflict had intensified after an incident at the CM’s residence, where Maliwal was accused of showing up without an appointment. As Delhi’s political landscape continues to shift, this rivalry between two prominent women leaders of AAP has only added fuel to the fire.

Public Reaction and Party Response

The public response to Maliwal's statement has been mixed. While some support her criticism of Atishi’s family background, others have accused her of resorting to personal attacks. Party insiders, however, are attempting to downplay the feud, focusing instead on Atishi’s vision for the future of Delhi. As the new CM, Atishi faces numerous challenges, and this controversy adds a new layer of complexity to her tenure. Whether or not this conflict will escalate further remains to be seen.