AAP Faces Major Split As Raghav Chadha Joins BJP
AAP Faces Major Split As Raghav Chadha Joins BJP
Raghav Chadha and six other Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday, delivering one of the biggest political setbacks to AAP ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections next year.
Raghav Chadha Joins BJP With Six AAP MPs
Chadha announced his move along with six other AAP MPs, creating a major split in the party’s Rajya Sabha strength. The shift is being seen as a significant political gain for the BJP and a major organisational blow to AAP, which is currently in power in Punjab.
The group’s move was described as a merger with the BJP, as it involved more than two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs. This makes the development politically important because it could help the defecting MPs avoid disqualification under anti-defection rules.
Raghav Chadha Accuses AAP Of Losing Direction
Explaining his decision, Chadha said he had distanced himself from party activities because he did not want to be part of what he described as AAP’s “crimes.” He also said the party had moved away from its original principles and moral position.
Chadha’s remarks mark a sharp break from the party where he was once considered one of the most prominent young faces and a key national spokesperson.
AAP Calls BJP Move Operation Lotus
AAP reacted strongly to the defection and accused the BJP of using political pressure to weaken the party. Senior AAP leaders called the departing MPs “traitors” and described the development as another example of “Operation Lotus.”
The split comes at a sensitive time for AAP, which is trying to defend its Punjab government and rebuild its national image after political and legal setbacks in Delhi.
