In a significant political development, six Rajya Sabha members formerly associated with the Aam Aadmi Party have decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, marking a major shift in parliamentary dynamics. Among them, Raghav Chadha emerged as the most prominent face of the move, having recently been removed from AAP.
Addressing the media on Friday, Chadha stood alongside Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, explaining the rationale behind their decision. He stated that nearly two thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha members had collectively chosen to merge with the BJP by invoking provisions under the Indian Constitution.
Chadha emphasized that the group had spent over a decade contributing to the growth of AAP, but now felt the party had drifted away from its founding principles, ethics, and values. According to him, the current functioning of AAP no longer reflects national priorities and instead revolves around individual interests.
He further remarked that stepping away from the party was a move to reconnect with the people and align with broader national goals. Along with Chadha, Pathak and Mittal formally resigned from AAP and submitted signed documents and letters to the Rajya Sabha Chairman confirming their decision.
Other leaders who exited the party include Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney, and Swati Maliwal. Their collective move signals a deepening internal crisis within AAP while strengthening the BJP’s position in the upper house.