Who is Swati Maliwal and why did ex-DCW chief become AAP’s choice for Rajya Sabha nomination?
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced ex-DCW chief Swati Maliwal as one of its nominees for the January 19 Rajya Sabha elections.
New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal was on Friday nominated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as Rajya Sabha MP, while jailed leader Sanjay Singh and ND Gupta were nominated for the second term in the Upper House.
The nominations were announced by the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC), chaired by AAP national president and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“DCW chairman Swati Maliwal has been nominated for the first time. The PAC has decided to continue with Sanjay Singh and ND Gupta for their respective second terms as Rajya Sabha members,” the party said.
After announcing her appointment as Rajya Sabha MP from AAP, Swati Maliwal stepped down as chairperson of the DCW.
But who is Swati Maliwal and why did she become the AAP’s preferred choice for a Rajya Sabha nomination outside the party cadres?
Who is Swati Maliwal?
Swati Maliwal is one of the most recognized faces in Indian civil society and has been at the forefront of crusades against corruption and fight for women’s rights and social justice over the past decade.
In July 2015, Maliwal became the youngest person to be appointed as DCW chairman. Her term expired in 2018 but was extended for another three years. Before her appointment as DCW chief, Maliwal was an advisor to the Delhi Chief Minister on public grievances.
An activist through and through, Swati Maliwal was a key member and one of the youngest people to join the Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal-led anti-corruption crusade called the Indian Against Corruption. The movement eventually led to the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party.
Early life, career, education
Swati Maliwal was born on October 15, 1984, in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, where she completed her early education at Amity International School before completing her bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from JSS Academy of Technical Education.
Maliwal got a job at HCL right after her studies, but at the age of 22, she decided to quit and join the NGO ‘Parivartan’, run by Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia – the senior AAP leader who is currently is in jail in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam.
Swati was married to AAP leader Naveen Jaihind, but the couple divorced in February 2020.
Swati Maliwal- A versatile activist
In 2013, Maliwal worked briefly as a campaigner for Greenpeace India, an NGO focused on ensuring safe food for women and children.
In 2014, Maliwal worked as a development consultant to MLAs in Delhi.
Swati Maliwal has been involved in organizing campaigns to raise awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) Act and actively works with several NGOs advocating greater centralization of power in India.
The former DCW head is also an active advocate for women’s rights and social issues. Maliwal has been associated with several campaigns and movements aimed at combating violence against women, advocating for stricter laws and promoting gender equality.
In 2015, she was appointed chairperson of the DCW, where she has been instrumental in spearheading initiatives to address issues such as acid attacks, sexual harassment and women’s safety in Delhi.
AAP announces its Rajya Sabha nominations
The AAP on Friday announced its candidates for the January 19 Rajya Sabha elections. Besides Swati Maliwal, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has also nominated Sanjay Singh and ND Gupta for the second term in the Senate.
The AAP Political Affairs Committee decided to endorse two existing members for reappointment, while Sushil Kumar Gupta expressed his intention to shift his focus to Haryana’s electoral politics, the party said.
Sushil Kumar Gupta’s term as a member of the Rajya Sabha ends later this month.
“He has expressed his ambition to actively participate in Haryana’s vibrant electoral landscape and we respect his decision to take this path,” a senior AAP leader said.
Sanjay Singh may sign reappointment papers
Meanwhile, a Delhi court has allowed Sanjay Singh, who is in jail in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise scam, to sign forms and documents for his Rajya Sabha reappointment.
Special Judge MK Nagpal passed the order on an application filed by the AAP leader, who claimed that his current tenure as a member of the Rajya Sabha expires on January 27 and the Returning Officer has issued a notice on January 2 for the conduct of the Rajya Sabha. election and nominations for it must be submitted before January 9.
The application sought instructions from the Tihar Jail Superintendent so that Singh could sign the documents.