Tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party had been building quietly for over a year before the dramatic split led by Raghav Chadha, according to Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, one of the seven leaders who announced their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Speaking about the developments, Sahney said dissatisfaction began when senior leader Sandeep Pathak was allegedly sidelined following the party’s defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections. He added that Chadha’s sudden removal as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha further deepened the divide within the party’s parliamentary ranks.
‘Frustration Built After Pathak Was Sidelined,’ Says Sahney
Sahney described Pathak and Chadha as key figures behind AAP’s success in Punjab, stating that their reduced roles created frustration among party MPs.
According to Sahney, Pathak repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction after he was reportedly left without responsibilities for nearly a year following the party’s setback in the Delhi polls.
He noted that Chadha also felt sidelined and gradually withdrew from party activities. This growing dissatisfaction among the two leaders, Sahney said, ultimately triggered the chain of events that led to the mass exit.
He further explained that the rift widened significantly after Chadha was removed from the post of deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, a move that many MPs interpreted as a signal of diminishing trust within the party leadership.
Meeting With Arvind Kejriwal Failed to Prevent Exit
Sahney revealed that he personally met Arvind Kejriwal earlier in the week to inform him about the possibility of resignations.
During the meeting, he reportedly warned that even the resignation of a few MPs could make it easier to meet the two-thirds requirement, which protects lawmakers from disqualification under the anti-defection law.
According to sources, Kejriwal had invited the dissatisfied MPs to his residence on Friday evening in an attempt to resolve the crisis. However, the MPs publicly announced their exit just hours before the scheduled meeting took place.
‘Not Betraying Punjab,’ Says Sahney Amid Traitor Allegations
After the announcement, the AAP strongly criticised the departing MPs, accusing them of betraying Punjab. Responding to the allegations, Sahney defended the decision and said the move was aimed at securing better development opportunities for the state.
He stated that the group had recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss issues concerning Punjab. According to him, cooperation between the state and the central government was necessary for the state’s progress.
Sahney argued that ongoing conflicts between state and central governments could hinder development and that alignment with the Centre would benefit Punjab in the long term.
Seven MPs Named in Chadha-Led Shift to BJP
Earlier, Raghav Chadha confirmed that seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs were part of the move to merge with the BJP. The group includes:
- Swati Maliwal
- Harbhajan Singh
- Rajinder Gupta
- Vikramjit Singh Sahney
- Ashok Mittal
- Sandeep Pathak
This large-scale exit significantly reduced AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha, bringing its tally down from 10 MPs to just 3.
Signs of Rift Visible Since 2024
Political observers noted that the division within the party had been visible for some time.
The tension reportedly intensified in 2024 when Raghav Chadha travelled to London during a period when several senior AAP leaders were facing corruption-related legal challenges. Chadha had cited medical reasons for his absence at the time.
The final rupture came earlier this month when the party replaced him with Ashok Kumar Mittal as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha.
Following his removal, Chadha posted on social media that he had been “silenced but not defeated,” signalling deep dissatisfaction with the party leadership.
Chadha Says He Chose ‘Positive Politics’ Over Silence
Explaining his decision to distance himself from party activities, Chadha claimed he did not want to be associated with actions he disagreed with.
He said the group faced two choices: either leave politics altogether or continue public work under a new political alignment. The decision to move forward with a new political path, he said, was driven by the desire to continue serving the public.
Reacting to the mass exit, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal blamed the BJP for orchestrating the crisis and accused the party of betraying the people of Punjab.