Raghav Chadha Quits AAP, Announces Move to BJP Along With Several RS MPs
Raghav Chadha Quits AAP, Announces Move to BJP Along With Several RS MPs
Major political setback for AAP as multiple Rajya Sabha members cite ideological differences and join BJP
In a significant political development, Raghav Chadha on Friday announced his resignation from the Aam Aadmi Party and declared that he will be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Chadha said that nearly two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs have decided to merge with the BJP by invoking constitutional provisions. Along with him, MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal also confirmed their exit from the party.
Chadha further revealed that several other leaders, including Swati Maliwal, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, and Vikram Sahney, are also set to join the BJP. With this development, AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha is expected to drop to just three members.
Explaining his decision, Chadha said the party he had dedicated 15 years to had drifted away from its founding ideals. He stated that AAP was no longer working in the national interest and that he felt “in the wrong party” for some time.
Sources indicate that Chadha and other leaders will soon meet BJP president Nitin Nabin to formally join the party. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the government’s strong stance on national security and economic growth, and expressed his willingness to work under his leadership along with Home Minister Amit Shah.
Meanwhile, AAP has strongly reacted to the development. Senior leader Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of attempting to break opposition parties through “Operation Lotus.” He criticised Chadha and others for betraying the party and said the people of Punjab would not forgive them.
Singh also defended the work of the Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that despite progress in key sectors, such political moves were being used to destabilise the government.
