(Image source from: PTI)

Raghav Chadha has shared his decision to join the BJP along with a significant number of MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Rajya Sabha. This move is a serious setback for party leader and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, especially after he had demoted Chadha just weeks prior. Chadha mentioned during a press meeting this afternoon that roughly two-thirds of AAP's ten MPs in the Upper House will be switching to the BJP. He criticized the party, which initially gained power in Delhi by promising to combat corruption, for straying from honest governance. "We have officially signed and submitted our decision to the chairman of Rajya Sabha," he stated. The AAP accused Chadha of betraying the party, while Kejriwal condemned the BJP for "deceiving the Punjabis. "

This transition is not against the anti-defection law since it permits a merger if two-thirds of a party's legislators choose to join another party. He indicated that Harbhajan Singh and Swati Maliwal are among those joining the BJP, along with Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney, Ashok Mittal, and Sandeep Pathak, whom he mentioned as the other four leaders involved.

"I dedicated 15 years of my life to AAP. Now the party has drifted away from true politics. I believe I am the right person in the wrong party. I am distancing myself from AAP and getting closer to the people. Currently, the AAP is corrupt and has lost its integrity," the 37-year-old politician expressed. After these major departures, the three MPs who continue to be part of AAP are Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, Sanjay Singh, and ND Gupta. There are indications that Chadha might receive a ministerial position at the Union level once he joins the BJP. Chadha has been with AAP since it started in 2012, serving as a close ally to Kejriwal, who rose to power in Delhi in 2015 following the anti-corruption movement. Explaining his choice to move to the BJP, Chadha claimed that AAP is no longer what it was. "As one of the founding members, we dedicated ourselves to building this party in Punjab, Delhi, and beyond. Today, AAP is corrupt and has lost its core values. It is not the same party anymore. I refuse to be part of AAP's wrong actions," he concluded.

He mentioned that he had just two choices: leave politics or stand up for the right issues. He opted for the latter, stating, "We, the two-thirds of AAP members from Rajya Sabha, will join the BJP."

Pathak, who spoke at the press conference with Chadha, shared that he had been considering leaving AAP for the last six to seven months. After Chadha's press conference, AAP spoke to the media and criticized the BJP, claiming their former leader was disloyal. Senior AAP figure and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh remarked strongly that the party had made Chadha an MP, but he ultimately went to the BJP.

"The BJP has blocked the positive actions of the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's AAP government. Seven Rajya Sabha MPs from AAP will join the BJP. The people of Punjab should remember these seven names. They will never forget them," Singh stated. The party leader, Kejriwal, posted a brief comment: "Once again, the BJP has let down the Punjabis. "

Chadha’s decision to merge with the BJP was anticipated. This came after a major issue that arose earlier this month when AAP removed him from his role as deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, publicly showcasing their divide. AAP also asked the Rajya Sabha Chairman not to allow Chadha to speak using the party's allotted time. The young leader addressed this in videos, referring to it as a "plotted scheme" and "coordinated attack" against him. AAP subsequently accused Chadha of not joining the opposition during parliamentary walkouts, rejecting the impeachment motion against the chief election commissioner, and only raising minor concerns since he had become "afraid. " He responded that these claims were completely false. "Every lie will come to light, and every question will be addressed. I am hurt, and therefore, I am dangerous," he declared in one of his videos. Earlier this month, the AAP-led Punjab government also took away Chadha’s Z-plus security. Soon after, the Union Home Ministry intervened and provided security coverage for the MP.