In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Indian politics, Raghav Chadha—once hailed as the de-facto Chief Minister of Punjab and a key architect of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) rise—has resigned from the party and, along with six other Rajya Sabha MPs, merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This mass exodus, announced on April 24, 2026, marks a significant blow to AAP’s national ambitions and has sparked heated debate about the party’s future and internal dynamics.
Chadha, who for years was considered Arvind Kejriwal’s blue-eyed boy and a master strategist, delivered the bombshell at a press conference flanked by fellow defectors Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal. "We, the two-third members belonging to the AAP in the Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP," Chadha declared, as reported by The Indian Express. The list of MPs crossing over included Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney, Swati Maliwal, Pathak, and Mittal—all prominent figures in the upper house and, until recently, pillars of AAP’s parliamentary presence.
Chadha did not mince words about his reasons for quitting. "The AAP, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat, and gave 15 years of my youth to, has deviated from its principles, values and core morals. Now this party does not work in the interest of the nation but for its personal benefits," he stated, according to The Federal. He described a party once rooted in honesty and idealism as now "mired in corruption," and claimed he had distanced himself from its activities because he "did not want to be a part of their crimes." For Chadha, the decision was a matter of conscience and principle: "I was not eligible for their friendship because I was not a part of their crime. We had just two options—either quit politics and give up our public work in the last 15-16 years or we do positive politics with our energy and experience."
The scale of the defection is unprecedented in AAP’s short but eventful history. Chadha asserted that over two-thirds of the party’s ten Rajya Sabha MPs had signed the merger documents, which were submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman on the morning of April 24. "Seven MPs have signed the document, which was submitted to the Hon’ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. I, along with two other MPs, personally handed over the signed documents," Chadha later posted on X (formerly Twitter).
This rebellion did not materialize overnight. Chadha’s journey from being AAP’s star campaigner in Punjab to its most vocal critic reveals a story of rising influence, internal rivalry, and eventual alienation. Back in 2022, Chadha was instrumental in scripting AAP’s historic victory in the Punjab Assembly elections. Though Bhagwant Mann became Chief Minister, Chadha was widely seen as the party’s troubleshooter—the man behind candidate selection, campaign messaging, and organizational strategy. His appointment as chairman of a government advisory committee in July 2022, tasked with advising on finance and pro-people initiatives, further solidified his status. He even occupied a coveted government bungalow in Chandigarh, a stone’s throw from the CM’s residence—a symbol of his clout.
Yet with power came controversy. Opposition leaders and even some within AAP accused Chadha of running an "extra-constitutional body," chairing meetings with bureaucrats and effecting administrative transfers, sometimes in the absence of the Chief Minister. Legal hurdles soon emerged. The proposal to appoint him as chairman of the advisory committee was declared unconstitutional by then Advocate General Anmol Rattan Singh, who subsequently resigned. The cracks within the party began to widen.
Chadha’s influence waned sharply after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. When Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the excise policy scam, Chadha left for the UK for an eye surgery, returning only at the end of May—largely absent from the heat of the campaign. After AAP’s defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, his presence in Punjab diminished further. Manish Sisodia was appointed state in-charge, and Chadha was gradually sidelined from key governance meetings. The final blow came on April 2, 2026, when he was removed as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and replaced by Ashok Mittal. Officially, this was an "organizational change," but Chadha publicly described it as being "silenced, not defeated," and alleged he was barred from speaking in Parliament.
The move to the BJP was not without controversy. AAP leadership accused Chadha of avoiding opposition walkouts and refusing to sign a motion related to the Chief Election Commissioner—allegations Chadha flatly denied. In a video message, he called these accusations "white lies" and part of a "coordinated campaign" to sideline him. He insisted, "Parliamentary time, funded by taxpayers, should be used to raise substantive issues rather than stage disruptions." He also emphasized his focus on issues like taxation, pollution, public health, education, and unemployment.
Chadha’s praise for BJP leadership was unequivocal. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has taken several strong decisions that earlier leaders were perhaps hesitant to take, whether it is uprooting terrorism or bringing India among the top global economies. The people have endorsed this leadership not once, not twice, but three times. We all feel fortunate to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the determination of Home Minister Amit Shah, and we will continue to work tirelessly for the nation," he said, as reported by The Times of India.
The reaction from AAP was swift and scathing. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal posted a cryptic message on X, stating, "The BJP has once again given Punjabis a shove." Though he did not mention Chadha by name, the implication was clear. AAP MP Sanjay Singh went further, publicly naming the seven Rajya Sabha MPs who joined the BJP and warning, "The people of Punjab should remember these seven names. The people of Punjab will never forget them."
Political observers are divided on the implications of this upheaval. Some see Chadha’s exit as a sign of deepening fissures within AAP, possibly triggered by the party’s handling of internal dissent and allegations of corruption. Others argue it reflects a broader realignment in opposition politics, as the BJP consolidates its dominance ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Chadha has sought to reassure his supporters, promising, "I will continue to raise all your issues with the same commitment, enthusiasm, and energy."
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the defection of Raghav Chadha and his colleagues has not only reshaped the Rajya Sabha’s political arithmetic but also cast a long shadow over AAP’s promise of clean, principled governance. Whether this marks a new chapter for Chadha or the beginning of a prolonged crisis for his former party, only time will tell.