AAP suffers a blow as Rajya Sabha MPs join BJP.
Party leaders react sharply, demand disqualification.
Photo: x.com/NitinNabin
The Aam Aadmi Party suffered a major setback on Friday after several of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, joined the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), formalising a split that had been building for weeks.
Chadha, who was earlier removed as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, announced during a press conference in the national capital that more than two-thirds of the party’s Upper House members would merge with the BJP. The development triggered strong reactions from AAP leaders while drawing a warm welcome from the BJP.
The trio of MPs — Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal — later joined the BJP in the presence of party leadership. Chadha stated that several other MPs had also supported the move.
“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…For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party. So, today, we announce that I am distancing myself from the AAP and getting closer to the public.”
He further added:
“There are 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha, more than 2/3rd of them are with us in this. They have signed, and this morning we submitted the signed letter and documents to the Rajya Sabha Chairman…three of them are here before you. Besides us, there are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal.”
Sandeep Pathak also confirmed his exit from AAP, stating:
“I had never thought that such a situation would ever occur in my life. But it did. I was a part of this party for 10 years. Today, I am separating my path from that of the AAP. When it came to joining a party, I joined AAP because they spoke of new politics and politics of work. In 10 years, I worked hard. All political decisions I made were taken by prioritising the party’s interests.”
The split comes weeks after visible internal tensions, especially following Chadha’s removal as deputy leader and criticism from within the party.
AAP Seeks Disqualification of MPs
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh announced that he would write to the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking disqualification of the defecting MPs under the anti-defection law.
He strongly criticised the move, stating:
“Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have begun their ‘Operation Lotus’ to stop the good work of Punjab’s Bhagwant Mann Government…7 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs are joining the BJP. The people of Punjab should remember these 7 names. These ‘traitors’ of Punjab would never be forgiven by the people.”
AAP leaders across the board reacted sharply. Manish Sisodia accused the MPs of acting out of fear and greed, while Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said:
“The seven MPs who are joining the BJP don’t represent Punjab, they are traitors.”
AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal also commented briefly, posting:
“BJP ne fir se Punjabio ke sath kia dhakka.”
BJP Welcomes Move
The BJP welcomed the development, calling it a natural political shift. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva used the opportunity to target Kejriwal.
“Arvind Kejriwal has become synonymous with corruption…Money that should be spent on the people of Punjab is being used by him for his own politics in Gujarat and Goa.”
Impact on AAP’s Parliamentary Strength
The defection is expected to significantly weaken AAP’s presence in the Rajya Sabha, where it had a total of ten MPs. The party is now pursuing legal remedies under the anti-defection law to challenge the move.
The political fallout is likely to shape the party’s strategy in Parliament and upcoming electoral battles.
© x.com/NitinNabin
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