Swati Maliwal Urges Kejriwal to Appoint Dalit Leader as LoP in Delhi

Swati Maliwal Calls on Arvind Kejriwal to Appoint Dalit Leader as Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly to Honor Ambedkar’s Legacy

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal has called upon the party chief and ex-Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to nominate a Dalit leader as Delhi Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP). In a letter to Kejriwal, Maliwal passionately argued that nominating a Dalit leader would be a befitting tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar and also an actual representative of the foundational principles of the party.

Going to social media site X, Maliwal reaffirmed her position, saying that Kejriwal had earlier vowed to make a Dalit Deputy Chief Minister in Punjab, which is yet to be done. She hoped that this time Kejriwal would keep his promise by making a Dalit MLA the LoP in Delhi. She wrote in Hindi, adding a screenshot of her letter, and claimed the move would not be political but a step towards enhancing the party’s social justice and inclusivity values.

The demand for a Dalit LoP is at a turning point when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is about to declare its Chief Minister for Delhi following a record victory. The BJP’s victory marks a significant shift in the capital’s political landscape, as it returns to power after 26 years, displacing AAP’s decade-long rule. AAP managed to secure only 22 seats in the 70-member Assembly, resulting in a major political setback for the party. Several senior AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, lost their electoral battles, marking a new era in Delhi’s governance.

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In the midst of all this, AAP’s LoP appointment is also being discussed. Gopal Rai and Atishi are reported to be the top contenders. However, Maliwal’s appeal adds a new variable to the decision-making equation, putting on Kejriwal and party leadership a moral and ideological obligation.

This will be AAP’s first experience as Opposition in Delhi, and the selection of LoP becomes very important. The selection of a Dalit leader for the post can be a thunderous statement of commitment towards social equality and further AAP’s resolve towards the realization of Ambedkar’s mission of empowering the marginalized sections.

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With the political landscape in Delhi on the verge of change, the entire lot is looking up to AAP leadership to see if they would take a cue from Maliwal and take a historic step towards more representation and inclusivity in the Assembly.

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