Raghav Chadha, Six AAP MPs To Merge With BJP
Raghav Chadha and six other Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs have announced their resignation from the party and said they will merge with the BJP. The move marks a major political setback for AAP and could sharply reduce its strength in the Upper House.
Raghav Chadha Leads AAP Rajya Sabha Split
Chadha said seven of AAP’s 10 Rajya Sabha MPs had decided to leave the party and merge with the BJP under the two-thirds provision of the anti-defection law. He said the required documents had been submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
The MPs named in the move include Raghav Chadha, Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Vikram Sahney and Rajinder Gupta.
AAP MPs Announce Merger With BJP
The development is politically significant because a two-thirds group of lawmakers from a party can seek merger protection under the anti-defection framework. If accepted, the MPs may avoid disqualification while shifting to the BJP.
Chadha said the decision was taken after internal differences with AAP and claimed the party had moved away from its original values. AAP has not yet issued a detailed official response to the announcement.
Major Blow To Arvind Kejriwal’s Party
The exit of seven MPs could weaken AAP’s presence in Parliament and damage its national image. AAP, which built its politics around anti-corruption and governance claims, has already faced internal dissent and leadership challenges in recent years.
The resignation of senior leaders from the Rajya Sabha may also affect the party’s ability to raise issues effectively in Parliament.
BJP Gains From AAP Defection
For the BJP, the move represents a major political gain in the Rajya Sabha. It also gives the ruling party an opportunity to present AAP as a weakened organisation facing serious internal rebellion.
The final impact will depend on the Rajya Sabha Secretariat’s decision on the merger documents and AAP’s response.
