Raghav Chadha Leads 7 AAP MPs to BJP, Jolting Party

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been dealt a massive blow with the dramatic resignation of seven of its ten Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs), led by prominent youth leader Raghav Chadha, who subsequently merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 24, 2026. This political realignment marks a significant setback for the AAP, reshaping the dynamics in the Upper House of the Indian Parliament and posing critical challenges for the party's future. Raghav Chadha, who had been a founding member and a key strategist for AAP, announced his departure at a press conference in New Delhi, stating that over two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs had decided to invoke constitutional provisions to merge with the BJP. He was joined by fellow Rajya Sabha MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal at the BJP headquarters, where they were formally welcomed by BJP President Nitin Nabin. Chadha explicitly stated his reasons for leaving, alleging that the AAP had deviated from its core principles, values, and morals, which it was founded upon. He expressed feeling like "the right man in the wrong party" and stated his intention to work under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for national interests. The other MPs reportedly involved in this exodus, beyond Chadha, Pathak, and Mittal, include Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, and Vikram Sahney (also referred to as Sawhney). This collective move reduced AAP's strength in the Rajya Sabha from ten to a mere three members, significantly weakening its parliamentary presence. The timing of these defections is particularly crucial, as AAP is gearing up for upcoming assembly elections in Punjab, Gujarat, and Goa, where it aims to expand its political footprint beyond Delhi. In the wake of this dramatic development, the Aam Aadmi Party immediately accused the BJP of orchestrating another round of "Operation Lotus" – a term used by opposition parties to allege poaching of their legislators. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh criticized the departing MPs, calling their actions a "betrayal of Punjab" and the trust placed in them. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also termed the defectors as "traitors." Delhi's former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia reportedly met with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal to formulate the party's future strategy, indicating the urgency with which AAP is addressing this internal crisis. A major legal debate has ignited concerning the applicability of the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule of the Constitution) in this scenario. The defecting MPs contend that their move, involving more than two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha legislative party, constitutes a merger with the BJP, thereby exempting them from disqualification under the law. However, AAP is reportedly preparing to seek their disqualification, arguing that while a merger of a legislative party is permitted, a merger of the entire political party (AAP) with the BJP has not occurred. Legal experts are closely scrutinizing the implications, with past Supreme Court judgments having clarified distinctions between political parties and legislative parties in the context of anti-defection provisions. The Speaker/Chairman is typically the adjudicating authority in such cases, though their decisions are subject to judicial review, and the Supreme Court has emphasized timely resolution of such petitions. The exodus follows a period of discernible internal turmoil within the AAP. Raghav Chadha was removed from his post as AAP's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha on April 2, 2026, and was replaced by Ashok Mittal, who himself subsequently defected. This removal and Chadha's subsequent silence on party matters fueled speculation of internal rifts. Social activist Anna Hazare, whose anti-corruption movement led to AAP's formation, commented on the defections, suggesting that the MPs would not have left had AAP followed the "right path." Hazare attributed the exits to the AAP leadership's perceived shift towards prioritizing "power and money" over its founding principles. The departure of Sandeep Pathak, considered by some as Arvind Kejriwal's "Chanakya" or master strategist, is particularly seen as a significant blow due to his integral role in organizational decisions. This mass defection is a pivotal moment for the AAP, forcing it to recalibrate its strategies and address both internal dissent and external political challenges. It also strengthens the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Rajya Sabha, potentially impacting future legislative debates. The political landscape of India has certainly been shaken by this unexpected and significant realignment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest