New Delhi, April 25, 2026: In a major political upheaval, Raghav Chadha, the prominent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP, has formally exited the party along with six other Rajya Sabha MPs and merged their faction with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move has significantly weakened AAP’s strength in the Upper House, reducing it from 10 to roughly three MPs.
Chadha, who led the defection, met with BJP president Nitin Gadkari as the group invoked the anti-defection law’s provisions allowing a two-thirds majority split to merge with another party. The other MPs who joined the switch include Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, and additional colleagues.
Exit Driven by “Disgust,” Not Fear
Addressing speculation that the defectors were lured or pressured by the BJP, Chadha made it clear on April 25 that the decision stemmed from deep disillusionment. “We left the Aam Aadmi Party not out of fear but because of disappointment, disenchantment, and disgust,” he stated firmly.
Chadha accused AAP of abandoning its core founding principles of anti-corruption, transparency, and service to the common man. He alleged that the party had increasingly prioritised personal gains and luxurious lifestyles over public interest. In a strong indictment, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and emphasised that his group now aligns with a vision focused on national development.
Revival of ‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy
A central point in Chadha’s criticism was the resurfacing of the “Sheesh Mahal” row. BJP leaders, including Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, recently highlighted images and details of a new government-allotted bungalow at 95 Lodhi Estate allocated to Arvind Kejriwal. The residence has been dubbed “Sheesh Mahal 2.0” due to alleged lavish upgrades and private funding for luxury features.
Chadha pointed out that the original Sheesh Mahal controversy—surrounding earlier alleged opulent renovations to Kejriwal’s residence—had already hurt AAP’s credibility and contributed to its electoral setbacks in Delhi. He questioned how the party could repeat the same mistake so soon, calling it a symbol of hypocrisy that betrayed the “aam aadmi” image AAP projects.
AAP Hits Back
AAP leaders have reacted sharply to the development. The party has labelled the defectors as “traitors” and accused the BJP of indulging in horse-trading and “Operation Lotus.” Senior AAP leaders like Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that while a few “big leaders” may have left out of fear, the party’s grassroots volunteers remain committed to its ideology. AAP has indicated it may challenge the move legally and file disqualification petitions.
The exodus comes at a sensitive time for AAP, which is gearing up for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections and continues to face challenges in Delhi politics.
Political Significance
This development represents one of the biggest setbacks for AAP’s national parliamentary footprint in recent years. It underscores growing internal fissures within the party and highlights the continuing churn in Indian politics, where ideological realignments and personal ambitions often intersect.
The story continues to evolve with reactions pouring in from across the political spectrum. Chadha’s departure and his pointed criticisms are likely to intensify scrutiny on AAP’s governance style and public image in the coming days.
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