Raghav Chadha resigns from AAP, set to join BJP with 7 MPs in major Delhi power shift: 'Right man in wrong party'

Raghav Chadha resigns: In a massive political shock, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after 15 years. Citing a deviation from core values, Chadha is expected to join the BJP.

Raghav Chadha resigns: The historic political defection, which has led to the almost complete elimination of the presence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the upper house, involves Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Raghav Chadha, who, together with six more AAP parliamentarians, decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reports Hindustan Times.

The defecting MPs have strategically made sure to use a loophole in the Indian constitution (Anti-Defection Law) to make their action legal. According to Tenth Schedule, members are not disqualified from the parliamentary body if more than two-thirds of the legislature of the same party merges with another political organization.

As there are 10 members of AAP in Rajya Sabha, 2/3rds of this number amounts to 7 and that is the exact number of defectors. "We will exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party," Chadha revealed in an official press release published on his X account.

Who defected?

It is worth noting that six out of the seven defectors hail from the Punjab state, where all of them won seats after the overwhelming victory of AAP in the 2022 election. The seven MPs switching to BJP include the following individuals:

The seven MPs joining the BJP are:

• Raghav Chadha: Former AAP National Spokesperson and key strategist.
• Ashok Mittal: Founder of LPU and recently appointed Deputy Leader.
• Sandeep Pathak: AAP’s National General Secretary (Organization).
• Harbhajan Singh: Legendary former cricketer.
• Swati Maliwal: Former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief.
• Vikram Sahney: Prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist.
• Rajinder Gupta: Noted industrialist.

Revenge for the sideline?

The decision comes after weeks of unrest within the AAP ranks. Just a few days ago, the AAP's top brass controversially demoted Raghav Chadha from the position of deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, appointing Ashok Mittal in his place. Interestingly, Mittal happens to be one of those who have also defected along with Chadha to the BJP.

Sources close to the matter have said that the group was feeling sidelined by the party's top leadership, hence their collective decision to leave the party.

A severe blow to AAP's national profile

These defections leave the Aam Aadmi Party with only three members in the Rajya Sabha, making it highly unlikely for it to wield much legislative power or be an effective opposition in the Upper House. On the other hand, the BJP stands to gain immensely with seven new members, especially since they will be working alongside veteran politicians who are familiar with AAP's inner workings.