political-defection
Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, Led by Raghav Chadha, Join BJP
In a significant political upheaval, seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament, spearheaded by prominent leader Raghav Chadha, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 24, 2026. The mass defection includes MPs Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, and Rajinder Gupta, representing over two-thirds of AAP's strength in the Upper House. This move allows them to circumvent the anti-defection law by constituting a formal merger with the BJP. Raghav Chadha stated the AAP had deviated from its founding principles. BJP President Nitin Nabin formally welcomed the new members. AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh, condemned the defections, labeling them a betrayal and demanding disqualification of the MPs.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 24, 2026.
The defecting group includes Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, and Rajinder Gupta.
This defection of over two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha members qualifies as a merger, potentially bypassing anti-defection laws.
AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh, have condemned the move and sought the disqualification of the defecting MPs.
WHY IT MATTERS
This mass defection significantly weakens the Aam Aadmi Party's presence and influence in the Rajya Sabha, potentially altering parliamentary dynamics and providing a boost to the BJP ahead of upcoming state elections. It also sets a precedent for interpreting the anti-defection law concerning party mergers.