Why Raghav Chadha Joins BJP: Internal Rift Revealed.

New Delhi – In a dramatic shift that has sent shockwaves through India’s political landscape, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, along with six other Members of Parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has resigned from the party and announced a formal merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The defection, which includes prominent figures such as Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Swati Maliwal, and Harbhajan Singh, marks the most significant existential crisis for the AAP since its inception. Invoking constitutional provisions that allow a merger if two-thirds of a legislative party split, the group of seven MPs has effectively decimated AAP’s strength in the Upper House.

The Full List of Defecting MPs

The group comprises a significant portion of AAP’s 10-member Rajya Sabha contingent (7 from Punjab, 3 from Delhi):

1. Raghav Chadha (Punjab)
2. Sandeep Pathak (Punjab)
3. Ashok Mittal (Punjab)
4. Swati Maliwal (Delhi)
5. Harbhajan Singh (Punjab)
6. Rajinder Gupta (Punjab)
7. Vikram Sahney (Punjab)

“Right Man in the Wrong Party”: Chadha’s Scathing Exit

Addressing a high-stakes press conference in the national capital, Raghav Chadha did not mince words. Once considered the “poster boy” and a core strategist for the AAP, Chadha painted a picture of a party that has lost its moral compass.

“The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and gave 15 years of my youth to, has deviated from its principles, values, and core morals,” Chadha stated. “Today, this party does not work in the interest of the nation but for its personal benefits.”

In a line that is already trending across social media, Chadha added: “For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party. So, today, we announce that I am distancing myself from the AAP and getting close to the public.”

AAP MP Raghav Chadha says, “There are 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha, more than 2/3rd of them are with us in this. They have signed and this morning we submitted the signed letter and documents to the Rajya Sabha Chairman…3 of them are here before you. Besides us, there are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney and Swati Maliwal.”

A Calculated Divorce: The Timeline of the Rift

The seeds of this rebellion were sown earlier this month when the AAP leadership took the unprecedented step of stripping Chadha of his position as the Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha. The party formally notified the Rajya Sabha Secretariat of his removal and, in a move seen as a public humiliation, requested that he not be allotted time to speak in the House from the party’s quota.

The Post-2025 Delhi Election Fallout

Tensions within the party reached a breaking point following the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, where the BJP secured a historic victory, ending AAP’s decade-long dominance in the capital. Insiders suggest that the defeat triggered a blame game within the high command, leading to the sidelining of several senior leaders.

While the party leadership focused on internal restructuring, Chadha began carving a distinct path. In recent months, his parliamentary interventions shifted away from party rhetoric toward broader public-interest issues. He became a vocal advocate for:

• Paid Paternity Leave: Arguing for legal rights for fathers to support their families.
• Airport Inflation: Highlighting the exorbitant food prices at airports.
• Gig Economy Rights: Raising concerns over the safety and fair pay of delivery partners.
• Menstrual Hygiene: Calling for it to be treated as a matter of health and equality in Parliament.
• Urban Infrastructure: Proposing a National Urban Decongestion Mission to solve traffic woes.

His absence from the AAP’s list of star campaigners for the Assam elections earlier this year was the clearest signal yet that the bridge between Chadha and party convenor Arvind Kejriwal had collapsed.

Arvind Kejriwal Hits Back: “BJP Gives Punjabis a Shove”

The AAP leadership has reacted with fury, framing the defection as a betrayal of the people of Punjab. Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent his frustration.

“The BJP has once again given Punjabis a shove,” Kejriwal wrote, suggesting that the poaching of MPs represents an attack on the mandate given by the people of Punjab.

Also Read: Manipur in Flames: The Mothers’ Revolution vs. The Center’s Silence

Sanjay Singh Alleges Betrayal

Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh launched a scathing attack, accusing the defecting MPs of opportunism.

“The Aam Aadmi Party made Chadha an MLA and later elevated him to a Member of Parliament. The party gave him a lot,” Singh told reporters. He alleged that Chadha had “already settled comfortably” in the BJP camp long before the official announcement.

Singh also took aim at the other defectors, including Swati Maliwal and Ashok Mittal. “Look at the history of these individuals—the party did a lot for them. All these MPs have betrayed the Punjab government and its people. The people of Punjab will never forgive them,” he added.

Also Read: Political Vendetta Under the Guise of Women’s Empowerment: PM Modi Attacks Opposition While Ignoring Manipur

Strategic Implications: Why This Matters

This move is a massive win for the BJP, which has been looking to expand its footprint in Punjab and weaken the AAP’s influence in the Rajya Sabha. By facilitating a merger of 7 out of 10 MPs, the BJP has ensured that the defectors are likely protected under the Anti-Defection Law, as they constitute more than two-thirds of the legislative party.

Feature	Before Defection (AAP)	After Defection (AAP)
Rajya Sabha Strength	10 MPs	3 MPs
Key Leaders	Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak	Sanjay Singh, N.D. Gupta
Influence	Strong opposition voice	Significantly diminished

The Road Ahead for Raghav Chadha

For Raghav Chadha, the transition from being a fierce critic of the BJP to joining its ranks represents a massive ideological pivot. During his press conference, he lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing “strong decisions” on national security and the economy as reasons for his shift.

“We all feel fortunate to work under the leadership of PM Modi and the determination of Home Minister Amit Shah,” Chadha said, signaling his readiness to take on a prominent role within the saffron party.

As the Rajya Sabha Secretariat prepares to process the merger, the political climate in Punjab and Delhi remains volatile. With the AAP’s core leadership now reduced to a handful of loyalists, the party faces an uphill battle to retain its relevance ahead of upcoming local and state polls.

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