New Delhi: In a dramatic political development, Raghav Chadha announced that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), taking along a significant group of Members of Parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The move is widely seen as a major setback for AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, especially since Chadha had recently been demoted from a key leadership role within the party.
Raghav Chadha revealed at a press conference that around two-thirds of AAP’s 10 Rajya Sabha MPs have decided to merge with the BJP, a step that could have significant implications under India’s anti-defection law.
Decision Communicated to Rajya Sabha Chairman
Addressing reporters, Raghav Chadha confirmed that the formal process of merging with the BJP had already been initiated.
“We have signed and sent the decision to merge with the BJP to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha,” he stated.
Under India’s anti-defection law, lawmakers are protected from disqualification if two-thirds of a party’s legislators agree to merge with another party, making this move legally significant.
However, AAP responded swiftly, stating it would seek disqualification of Chadha and two other MPs who publicly announced their departure.
Chadha Accuses AAP of Abandoning Honest Politics
Explaining his decision, Chadha said that the party he had dedicated 15 years to had strayed from its founding principles.
“The AAP that I gave 15 years of my life to has stepped away from honest politics. I am the right man in the wrong party. Today, the AAP is corrupt and compromised,” the 37-year-old leader said.
Raghav Chadha, who joined AAP at its formation in 2012, had been considered one of Kejriwal’s closest aides during the party’s early years and its rise to power in Delhi following the anti-corruption movement.
He maintained that AAP is no longer the party it once was and insisted that he did not want to associate himself with what he described as wrongdoing within the organisation.
“I had two options — leave politics or do the right thing. I chose the second,” he added.
Seven AAP MPs Named in Merger Move
During the announcement, Chadha named several leaders who are joining the BJP along with him. These include:
- Harbhajan Singh
- Swati Maliwal
- Rajinder Gupta
- Vikram Sahney
- Ashok Mittal
- Sandeep Pathak
After these exits, the remaining AAP Rajya Sabha MPs are:
- Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal
- Sanjay Singh
- ND Gupta
Sources have indicated that Chadha could potentially be considered for a Union Ministerial role after formally joining the BJP, although no official confirmation has been made.
Swati Maliwal Cites Corruption and Safety Concerns
Swati Maliwal, who had earlier alleged assault by an aide of Kejriwal in 2024, said she was leaving the party due to what she described as growing corruption and failure to uphold its original ideals.
In an online statement, Maliwal accused the party leadership of allowing corruption to flourish and failing to address incidents of harassment against women.
She also alleged that Punjab had been “betrayed” under the party’s leadership, adding that her decision to quit was driven by declining internal standards and governance concerns.
AAP Hits Back, Accuses BJP of Betrayal
Soon after Chadha’s press conference, AAP leaders responded sharply to the development.
Senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh criticised Chadha’s decision, stating that the party had elevated him politically, only for him to defect.
“The party made him an MP, but he ended up in the BJP’s lap,” Singh remarked.
He further alleged that the BJP had obstructed governance initiatives led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and warned that voters in Punjab would remember the names of leaders who switched sides.
Singh also announced that he would formally write to the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking disqualification of Chadha and other defecting MPs under constitutional provisions.
Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal reacted briefly to the development through a social media post, stating:
“The BJP has once again betrayed the Punjabis.”
Public Rift Between Chadha and AAP Leadership
Chadha’s move follows weeks of escalating tensions within the party.
Earlier this month, AAP removed him as its Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, signalling a widening rift between him and the party leadership.
The party also requested that the Rajya Sabha Chairman not allocate speaking time to Chadha under AAP’s quota.
In response, Chadha released multiple video statements, describing the actions against him as part of a “scripted campaign” and a “coordinated attempt” to undermine his position.
AAP had accused him of:
- Not participating in opposition walkouts
- Refusing to sign an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner
- Raising what it termed “trivial issues” in Parliament
Chadha strongly denied these allegations, stating that the accusations were baseless.
“Every lie will be exposed, and every question will be answered. For I am wounded and therefore, I am lethal,” he said in one of his earlier video messages.
Also Read: Rajya Sabha Privilege Committee Seeks Report From AAP’s Raghav Chaddha By November 7
Security Changes Added to Political Tensions
Amid the intensifying dispute, the AAP-led Punjab government withdrew Chadha’s Z-plus security earlier this month.
The Union Home Ministry stepped in and restored security cover to the Rajya Sabha MP, adding another layer to the growing political friction.