A dramatic political shift unfolds in New Delhi as multiple AAP Rajya Sabha MPs announce their exit and move towards the BJP. Sharp reactions by party leaders and high-profile meetings at BJP headquarters depict quick changing political equations. Pics/PTI
Updated On: 2026-04-24 07:51 PM IST
Compiled by : Tarun Verma
Chadha and fellow MPs, including Sandeep Pathak, arrive at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, marking the beginning of their transition to a new political alignment
At the BJP office, leaders are welcomed by Nitin Nabin, as discussions begin over the proposed merger of the breakaway faction
Chadha, Pathak and Ashok Mittal meet BJP leadership, underscoring the scale and seriousness of the political development
Other prominent names in the exit include Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Rajendra Gupta, and Vikramjit Singh Sahney, highlighting the breadth of the split
Sanjay Singh addresses a press conference in New Delhi, strongly criticising the defection of AAP MPs and alleging it is part of the BJP’s “Operation Lotus”
Explaining his decision, Chadha says the AAP has “moved away from its ideology,” adding that he felt he had been in the “wrong party” for some time. The developments deal a major blow to AAP’s presence in the Rajya Sabha, potentially strengthening the BJP’s numbers in the Upper House
Calling them “gaddars,” Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann alleged betrayal of Punjab’s people and claimed BJP was attempting to destabilise the state’s political mandate.
