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IN PHOTOS: AAP rocked by mass Rajya Sabha exit as seven MPs back BJP merger

Updated On: 24 April, 2026 07:51 PM IST | Tarun Verma

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

A major political twist unfolds as Raghav Chadha and 6 others announced their resignation from the AAP. Pics/PTI

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A major political twist unfolds as Raghav Chadha and 6 others announced their resignation from the AAP. Pics/PTI
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

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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 

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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

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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

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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”

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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
 

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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.

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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.

Photo of Day

Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

Global AI leaders join PM Modi in a bid to push for a smarter, inclusive future

PM Narendra Modi joins hands with Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and others during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

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