AAP rajya sabha MPs join BJP, major setback for kejriwal

New Delhi: In a significant political development, Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal and Sandeep Pathak on Friday announced their exit from the Aam Aadmi Party and decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The move is being seen as a major political setback for AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, especially at a time when the party is trying to expand its national footprint. Addressing a joint press conference along with Mittal and Pathak, Chadha claimed that more MPs from AAP are likely to follow suit.

Chadha stated that nearly two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha members have decided to invoke constitutional provisions to merge with the BJP. “We have taken this step in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. As two-thirds of the parliamentary party is acting together, our membership will remain intact,” he asserted.

The three leaders have been serving as Rajya Sabha members since 2022 after being elected on AAP tickets. Their sudden exit has triggered intense political reactions, with analysts suggesting it could weaken AAP’s position in the Upper House.

Explaining his decision, Chadha launched a sharp attack on his former party, alleging that AAP has deviated from its founding principles and core values. “I have given 15 years of my youth, blood and sweat to build this party. But today, it has completely drifted away from its ideals and moral foundation,” he said.

He further alleged that the party is no longer working in the national interest but is instead driven by personal and political gains. “Many people have been telling me over the past few years that I was the right person in the wrong party. Today, I have decided to step away and return to the people,” Chadha added.

Reiterating the legal position, he said that since more than two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs are joining together, the anti-defection law would not disqualify them. “We are exercising our constitutional rights and merging with the BJP,” he said.

The development has sparked a fresh political debate, with opposition parties questioning the circumstances behind the defection, while BJP leaders have welcomed the move as an endorsement of their policies.

With more leaders expected to switch sides, the political landscape in the Rajya Sabha could witness further shifts in the coming days.