Jolt to AAP! Raghav Chadha, six others MPs join BJP

Key defections from AAP

Others who switched sides are Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Vikram Sahney and Rajinder Gupta.

Chadha’s resignation comes days after he was removed as AAP’s Rajya Sabha leader, signalling a deepening rift within the party.

Speaking to the media, Chadha said, "The AAP, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat, and gave 15 years of my youth to, has deviated from its principles, values and core morals.

"Now this party does not work in the interest of the nation but for its personal benefits."

Chadha questions ‘silencing’ in Parliament

Following his removal, Chadha took to X, questioning whether raising public issues in Parliament had become a “crime”.

“Whenever I get a chance to speak in Parliament, I raise public issues—often topics that are not usually raised by MPs. But is it an offence to highlight people’s problems? Did I commit any crime or mistake? Have I done something wrong?” he said.

He further alleged that the party had formally asked the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to restrict his participation.

“The party has told Parliament that I should not be given a chance to speak. Why would anyone want to stop me?” he asked.

Issues raised by Chadha

In his video message, Chadha highlighted several public-interest concerns:

• Mobile data validity rules, questioning 28-day recharge cycles
• Gig workers’ rights, focusing on wages and working conditions
• Broader economic and civic issues affecting urban populations

Formal removal and replacement

Earlier, AAP informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that Chadha should no longer be allotted speaking time as deputy leader.

The party has appointed Ashok Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and chancellor of Lovely Professional University, as his replacement. Sanjay Singh continues as the party’s leader in the House.

AAP currently holds 10 seats in the 245-member Rajya Sabha, making it the fourth-largest party after the BJP, Congress, and Trinamool Congress.

From inner circle to exit

Chadha, 37, has been associated with AAP since its inception in 2012 and was long seen as part of Arvind Kejriwal’s inner circle.

• Joined during the India Against Corruption movement
• Helped draft the Delhi Lokpal Bill
• Became a prominent party spokesperson
• Appointed national treasurer at 26
• Won the Rajinder Nagar seat in 2020 Delhi Assembly polls
• Entered the Rajya Sabha in 2022

His exit marks a significant shift in his political trajectory and a setback for the AAP leadership.