Swati Maliwal Resigns as DCW Chief after Nomination by AAP for Rajya Sabha Elections

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accepted the resignation of Swati Maliwal as the Chief of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). Maliwal, a women’s rights activist, stepped down from her role on Friday after being nominated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Maliwal is set to file her nomination for the Rajya Sabha on January 8, marking her debut in parliamentary affairs. The decision to nominate her underscores her advocacy for women’s rights and her dedication to social causes.

Taking to social media, Maliwal shared a heartfelt video, quoting a line from the Bollywood movie ‘Kabhi Kabhie,’ stating, “Pal do pal meri kahani hai (My story will last only for a moment or two).” She bid farewell to the Delhi Women’s Commission, acknowledging her eight-year tenure with the organization and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people.

In the video, she said, “Today with moist eyes, I said goodbye to the Delhi Women’s Commission. I didn’t realize how 8 years had passed here with the panel. I saw many ups and downs while living here. I dedicated every day to the welfare of Delhi and the country. The fight is not over, it is just beginning.”

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of AAP finalized its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for January 19. Apart from Maliwal, the committee renominated ND Gupta and jailed leader Sanjay Singh for a second term in the Upper House of Parliament.

Chaired by AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, the PAC endorsed two existing members for re-nomination. Sushil Kumar Gupta, expressing his intent to focus on electoral politics in Haryana, chose not to seek re-nomination. The committee decided to nominate Maliwal for the first time, recognizing her commitment to social causes and women’s rights.

The upcoming elections are crucial, as the six-year term of three Rajya Sabha MPs from Delhi is ending this month. Voting to elect new members will take place on January 19, with the retirement of current members Sanjay Singh, Sushil Kumar Gupta, and Narain Dass Gupta on January 27.

Swati Maliwal, a core member of the Indian Against Corruption movement, has been associated with various campaigns to combat violence against women, advocate for stricter laws, and promote gender equality. The AAP’s decision to nominate her highlights their commitment to bringing voices dedicated to social causes into parliamentary affairs.

In a related development, a Delhi court allowed party leader Sanjay Singh to sign re-nomination documents from jail. Singh is currently under arrest in a money laundering case related to the excise policy. The court dismissed his bail plea on December 22, 2023, stating that there are reasonable grounds to believe he is guilty of the alleged offence of money laundering.”