In a massive setback for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Raghav Chadha include in seven out of 10 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs have announced their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on April 24, 2026. This represents a historic political defection that reshapes the composition of India’s upper house and marks a significant blow to AAP’s presence in Parliament. This is the major set back for Aam Aadmi Party after Delhi Liquor Policy Case. 🔑 Key Update: The two-thirds (2/3) rule under the Indian Constitution has protected these seven MPs from losing their Rajya Sabha membership despite their party switch. Read Also: What is Delimitation Bill 2026 ? Why Modi fails to Implement it ? Who Are the Seven AAP MPs Who Quit Party and Joined BJP ? The defection includes three MPs who addressed a joint press conference, along with four others who signed the merger documents. Here’s the complete list: Members Present at Press Conference (3 MPs) 1. Raghav Chadha Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab | Former Deputy Leader of AAP in RS Background: Senior AAP leader and practicing lawyer who spent 15 years building the party. Removed as deputy leader of AAP in Rajya Sabha on April 2, 2026, which triggered the political fallout. Stated Reason: “I felt like the right man in the wrong party. AAP has deviated from its original anti-corruption principles and has become corrupt itself.” 2. Ashok Kumar Mittal Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab | Owner of Lovely Professional University (LPU) Background: Replaced Raghav Chadha as AAP’s deputy leader in Rajya Sabha just days before the merger announcement. Millionaire businessman. ED Investigation: Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on his residences in Gurugram and Punjab, his son’s properties, farmhouse, and LPU premises on April 15-17, 2026. Raids were conducted over suspected irregularities in fund management. Investigation ongoing. 3. Sandeep Pathak Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Background: Senior AAP leader from Punjab with significant party experience. Criminal Charges/Inquiries: No major criminal charges or ongoing inquiries reported as of April 24, 2026. Members Who Signed Merger Documents (4 MPs) 4. Swati Maliwal Rajya Sabha MP from Delhi | Former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Background: Prominent women’s rights activist, youngest DCW chairperson, handled 1.7 lakh domestic violence cases during her tenure. Public fallout with AAP since 2024. Criminal Charges & Ongoing Case: On May 13, 2024, Swati Maliwal filed a police complaint alleging she was assaulted by Bibhav Kumar, personal assistant to CM Arvind Kejriwal. The FIR included charges of: Criminal intimidation Assault with intent to disrobe a woman Attempt to commit culpable homicide Case Status: Bibhav Kumar was arrested on May 18, 2024, and granted bail on September 2, 2024. The investigation is ongoing with the Delhi Police. Maliwal remained in AAP until now to retain her Rajya Sabha membership despite the fallout. 5. Harbhajan Singh Rajya Sabha MP | Former Indian Cricketer Background: Legendary off-spinner and one of India’s greatest bowlers. Joined politics through AAP. Considerable influence in Punjab politics. Criminal Charges/Inquiries: No major criminal charges or ongoing inquiries reported as of April 24, 2026. 6. Rajinder Gupta Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Background: Senior AAP leader from Punjab with party experience. Criminal Charges/Inquiries: No major criminal charges or ongoing inquiries reported as of April 24, 2026. 7. Vikramjit Singh Sahney Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Background: Businessman, whole-time director of Sun International Limited engaged in trading of fertilizers and chemicals. Criminal Charges/Inquiries: No major criminal charges or ongoing inquiries reported as of April 24, 2026. Members with Criminal Charges or Ongoing Inquiries ⚠️ Important Note: Out of the 7 MPs who quit AAP and joined BJP, only 2 have reported criminal charges or ongoing legal inquiries as of April 24, 2026. The remaining 5 have no major criminal charges against them. Timeline of Events Leading to Defection April 2, 2026AAP removes Raghav Chadha as deputy leader of Rajya Sabha and replaces him with Ashok Mittal. Chadha alleges this was to silence him in Parliament. April 2-15, 2026Raghav Chadha stays away from AAP activities for approximately 2 weeks following his removal. April 15-17, 2026Enforcement Directorate conducts raids on properties of Ashok Mittal, his son, and Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar over suspected fund irregularities. April 24, 2026 Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal address joint press conference announcing the merger of 2/3rd AAP Rajya Sabha MPs with BJP. Merger documents submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman. April 24, 2026 All three MPs visit BJP office in New Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal accuses BJP of betraying Punjab. AAP alleges “Operation Lotus” and misuse of central agencies. What Is the Reason Given By Raghav Chadha leaves AAP ? According to Raghav Chadha’s press statement, the primary reasons for the defection are: “The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and to which I gave 15 years of my youth, has now completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals. The party is no longer working for the country or in the national interest, but for personal gain. We did not want to be a part of their crime.” Key Points from the Statement: Loss of Core Values: AAP was formed to eliminate corruption but has become corrupt itself Removal as Deputy Leader: Chadha claimed his removal was meant to silence him in Parliament for raising public issues Constitutional Provision: Used 2/3rd constitutional rule allowing party merger without losing RS membership Positive Politics: Chadha said they chose to continue public work and “positive politics” with BJP rather than quit entirely ED Pressure: AAP alleged the ED raids were tactics to pressure MPs into defection (AAP’s claim, not defectors’ claim) AAP’s Response and Allegations Operation Lotus Allegations: AAP accused the BJP of executing “Operation Lotus” – alleged political poaching through misuse of central agencies. Key Allegations by AAP: Misuse of Agencies: ED raids were allegedly coordinated to create fear and pressure MPs to defect Central Conspiracy: AAP claimed central agencies were used to destabilize the party, especially in Punjab Pre-Election Tactics: CM Bhagwant Mann alleged ED raids were BJP’s preparation for Punjab elections Used as Tool: Baltej Pannu alleged Raghav Chadha was “used as a tool” and promised ministerial berth at Centre in exchange for helping BJP weaken AAP Betrayal: Sanjay Singh claimed the seven MPs “stabbed the people of Punjab in the back” and worked to obstruct the Mann-led Punjab government Kejriwal’s Statement: Arvind Kejriwal said “The BJP has once again betrayed Punjabis” and vowed to take a strong response to the ED raids. What Are These Constitutional Provision Protecting These MPs ? The 2/3 Rule: Why They Won’t Lose Rajya Sabha Seats Constitutional Provision: The 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution allows for party mergers when 2/3 (two-thirds) of a party’s members in a house vote to merge with another party. Application Here: 7 out of 10 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs (70%) meets the 2/3 threshold, allowing them to merge without triggering anti-defection law provisions. Result: All seven MPs will retain their Rajya Sabha membership until 2028 (end of their current tenure) despite switching parties. Impact on AAP: AAP’s strength in Rajya Sabha reduced from 10 to 3 MPs (Sanjay Singh, N.D. Gupta, and Balbir Singh Seechewal). BJP’s Response and Welcome The Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the merger with the following statement: “No one believes in the corrupt AAP. The party, which started by claiming to be a party with a difference, has become a den of corruption.” – BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari The BJP described the development as significant political realignment that strengthens the party’s presence in Parliament and validates its position on AAP’s drift from its founding principles. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Will these MPs lose their Rajya Sabha seats? A: No. The 2/3 rule in the Constitution protects them from losing their seats. They will remain in Rajya Sabha until their term ends in 2028. Q: Why is Ashok Mittal’s ED raid significant? A: The timing (just 9 days before merger) has fueled AAP’s allegations of political pressure, though no charges have been filed yet. The investigation is ongoing. Q: Is Swati Maliwal accused of any crime? A: No. She is the victim/complainant in the assault case against Bibhav Kumar. She has no criminal charges against her. Q: How did Raghav Chadha justify this merger? A: Chadha claimed AAP has abandoned its anti-corruption principles and became corrupt itself. He said he felt like “the right man in the wrong party” and chose to continue public work with BJP instead of quitting politics. Q: What is “Operation Lotus”? A: It’s a term used for alleged political poaching through misuse of state machinery and investigative agencies. AAP alleges BJP executed Operation Lotus to destabilize it. Conclusion The defection of Raghav Chadha and six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP represents a historic political earthquake in Indian politics. This marks one of the largest defections from AAP since its inception and significantly weakens the party’s parliamentary presence. Key Takeaways: 7 out of 10 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs (70%) have merged with BJP under constitutional 2/3 rule Only 2 members have reported criminal charges or ongoing inquiries: Ashok Mittal (ED investigation) and Swati Maliwal (as victim in assault case) The remaining 5 members have no major criminal charges against them Constitutional provision protects all 7 MPs from losing their Rajya Sabha membership AAP alleges political pressure through misuse of central agencies The merger significantly strengthens BJP and weakens AAP in Parliament The situation remains fluid with ongoing investigations and expected political reactions from various parties. This article will be updated with latest developments. Post navigation What is the Delimitation Bill 2026? Explained Simply and Why It’s Controversial Politics or Pressure?: Breaking Down the Cases Behind India’s Latest Political Shift
[…] in Indian politics—but perhaps not in the way most observers initially perceived it. When Raghav Chadha and six other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs announced their merger with the Bh… the immediate narrative focused on AAP’s collapse and the shock of the defection. Yet, the […] Reply