Raghav Chadha, 6 other Rajya Sabha MPs quit AAP, announce merger with BJP

Raghav Chadha. Pic/PTI

In a major political development, Raghav Chadha on Friday announced his resignation from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), along with six other Rajya Sabha MPs, stating that they would merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a separate faction.

Seven MPs claim two-thirds majority for merger

Addressing a joint press conference, Chadha said that seven out of the 10 AAP members in the Rajya Sabha have decided to leave the party. He asserted that this number satisfies the constitutional requirement for a merger, which mandates support from at least two-thirds of a party's legislators in a House.

Chadha stated that the group has formally submitted a letter along with supporting documents to C. P. Radhakrishnan, notifying him of their decision to merge with the BJP.

Key leaders join exit, others named

Among those who have quit the party are Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, both of whom were present at the press conference. Chadha also named other MPs joining the move, including Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Rajendra Gupta, and Vikramjit Singh Sahney.

The leaders collectively claimed that their decision represents a significant majority within AAP's Rajya Sabha ranks.

Chadha cites ideological shift within AAP

Explaining his decision, Chadha alleged that the AAP has deviated from its founding principles and core values. He said that after years of association with the party, he felt it was no longer aligned with its original vision.

"The party I dedicated years of my life to has moved away from its ideology and now prioritises personal interests over public service," Chadha said, adding that he believed he was "in the wrong party" for some time.

Exit follows internal tensions

The development comes shortly after Chadha was removed from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha by the AAP leadership. In recent days, several party leaders had criticised him, accusing him of being lenient towards the BJP.

Chadha had earlier rejected these allegations, calling them part of a "coordinated campaign" against him. In a public statement, he had argued that repeated accusations were being used to shape a narrative against him.

Major setback for AAP

The mass exit of MPs is expected to significantly impact AAP's presence in the Rajya Sabha and alter political equations at the national level. If formally accepted, the merger could strengthen the BJP's position in the Upper House.

The move marks one of the most significant internal splits in AAP since its formation, raising questions about the party's future strategy and leadership cohesion.

(With inputs from Agencies)