Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs desert Kejriwal, join BJP

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, along with six other Aam Aadmi Party parliamentarians, resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday, April 24, 2026. The group, which represents approximately two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha strength, includes Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikram Sahni. The exodus deal a significant blow to the Arvind Kejriwal-led party just weeks after Chadha was removed as the leader of AAP in the Rajya Sabha and replaced by Ashok Mittal. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Chadha announced that the MPs would exercise provisions under the Constitution of India to merge with the BJP, stating that AAP had deviated from its principles, values, and core morals after 15 years of his dedicated service to the party. Chadha, who had been considered one of Kejriwal's trusted lieutenants, offered sharp criticism of his former party, accusing it of prioritizing personal gain over national interest. "I did not want to be a part of their crimes. I was not eligible for their friendship because I was not a part of their crime," he said. The MP, who was recently demoted from his leadership position within the party, stated he felt like "the right man in the wrong party" and would now work for the nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He praised the government's decisive actions on terrorism and economic growth, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Home Minister Amit Shah while pledging to continue raising issues of ordinary citizens. The defection marks one of the most significant reversals in Indian politics in recent years, with Chadha having been among AAP's most prominent national faces since the party's founding. The move comes amid ongoing internal turbulence within AAP, with Swati Maliwal, who appeared increasingly distant from the party leadership in recent months, also joining the exodus. Despite switching parties, Chadha assured the public that he would maintain his commitment to representing the concerns of ordinary citizens in Parliament with the same dedication he had shown throughout his political career.