Addressing a press conference alongside fellow MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, Raghav Chadha said, “We have decided that we, the two-thirds members belonging to AAP in the Rajya Sabha, will exercise provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP.”
The statement by Raghav Chadha has sparked intense political debate, as it suggests a major split within AAP at the parliamentary level.
Raghav Chadha criticises AAP, says party ‘no longer the same’
In a sharp attack on his former party, Raghav Chadha claimed that AAP had deviated from its original ideals.
“Purane AAP wohi AAP nahi rahi,” Raghav Chadha said, adding that the party has become “corrupt and compromised.”
Taking a personal stance, Raghav Chadha remarked, “I was a right man in a wrong party,” signalling a complete ideological break from AAP.
He also expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is “proud to have Modi as our PM,” further reinforcing his shift towards the BJP.
How many Rajya Sabha MPs did AAP have before the split?
Before the split led by Raghav Chadha, the Aam Aadmi Party had a total of 10 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, representing Punjab and Delhi.
These included:
- Raghav Chadha
- Sanjay Singh
- Sandeep Pathak
- Ashok Mittal
- Harbhajan Singh
- Narain Dass Gupta
- Rajinder Gupta
- Swati Maliwal
- Vikramjit Singh Sahney
- Sant Balbir Singh
With Raghav Chadha now leading a faction, the strength of AAP in the Rajya Sabha could see a significant reduction if the merger proceeds.
2/3rd rule and BJP merger
According to the developments shared by Raghav Chadha, seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs have decided to merge with the BJP.
These include:
- Harbhajan Singh
- Rajendra Gupta
- Vikramjit Singh Sahney
- Swati Maliwal
- Sandeep Pathak
- Ashok Mittal
- Raghav Chadha
AAP Lok Sabha MPs
AAP has three Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lok Sabha from Punjab:
- Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer – Sangrur, Punjab
- Malvinder Singh Kang – Anandpur Sahib, Punjab
- Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal – Hoshiarpur, Punjab
Political impact of Raghav Chadha’s decision
The decision by Raghav Chadha could have far-reaching consequences for AAP’s national presence, especially in Parliament.
As one of the party’s most recognisable faces, Raghav Chadha’s exit and alignment with the BJP may weaken AAP’s positioning ahead of future elections.
At the same time, the BJP stands to gain experienced parliamentary voices once the merger is formally completed.
The announcement by Raghav Chadha has triggered widespread reactions across political circles and social media.
