New Delhi – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Indian political landscape, seven of the ten Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members, led by the former deputy leader of the party in the house, Raghav Chadha, have officially announced their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This unprecedented development marks one of the most significant defections in recent parliamentary history, effectively reducing AAP’s strength in the Upper House to a mere three members.
The Great Split: How the Merger Unfolded
The high-octane political drama reached its peak on Friday afternoon when Raghav Chadha, accompanied by Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, addressed a packed press conference in the national capital. Chadha revealed that a group representing more than two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha contingent had decided to break away and join the BJP.
The group of seven MPs includes:
- Raghav Chadha (Punjab)
- Sandeep Pathak (Punjab)
- Ashok Mittal (Punjab)
- Harbhajan Singh (Punjab)
- Rajinder Gupta (Punjab)
- Vikramjit Singh Sahney (Punjab)
- Swati Maliwal (Delhi)
The group formally submitted their signed documents and a request for merger to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, early Friday morning. By invoking the “two-thirds” provision of the Tenth Schedule, the group seeks to avoid disqualification, as the law protects a faction that represents at least 66% of a party’s legislative strength when merging with another party.
Ideological Shift or Political Survival?
Speaking at the BJP headquarters after being welcomed by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Raghav Chadha delivered a scathing critique of the party he once helped build.
“The AAP, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat for 15 years, has completely deviated from its founding principles of anti-corruption and transparency. For the past few years, I felt like the right man in the wrong party. Today, we are choosing to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prioritize national interest over personal benefits,” Chadha stated.
Swati Maliwal, another prominent face in the breakaway group, echoed these sentiments, citing “corruption and harassment” within the party as her primary reasons for leaving. She specifically recalled the 2024 assault incident at the Chief Minister’s residence as a turning point in her relationship with the party leadership.
The Numbers Game: Impact on Rajya Sabha
This merger is a massive tactical win for the BJP. For the first time in 26 years, the BJP will have a Rajya Sabha representative associated with Delhi (via the merger of Delhi-based Swati Maliwal and the Punjab bloc).
For AAP, the loss is devastating. The party is now left with only three MPs in the Upper House:
- Sanjay Singh
- ND Gupta
- Balbir Singh Seechewal
The split is particularly painful in Punjab, where six out of the seven defecting MPs were elected in 2022 following AAP’s landslide victory. With Punjab Assembly elections only ten months away, this “revolt” threatens the party’s stronghold in the state.
AAP Hits Back: “Operation Lotus” Allegations
The Aam Aadmi Party leadership was quick to react, labeling the move a betrayal of the public mandate. AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal took to social media, stating, “The BJP has once again betrayed the people of Punjab.”
Senior leader Sanjay Singh addressed a separate presser, accusing the BJP of orchestrating “Operation Lotus” to destabilize the Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab. He called the defecting MPs “traitors” who had “stabbed Punjab in the back” after being given high posts and responsibilities by the party.
Legal Standing: Can They Be Disqualified?
Under Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), a member is exempt from disqualification if:
- Their original political party merges with another party.
- They and other members of their party have become members of the new party.
- The faction represents not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislative party.
Since 7 out of 10 MPs have moved together, they technically meet the two-thirds requirement ($7/10 = 70\%$). However, AAP is expected to challenge this in court, arguing that the “original party” (the national organization) has not merged, only the parliamentary wing has shifted. The final decision rests with the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
FAQs
Q1: Why did Raghav Chadha leave AAP?
Raghav Chadha cited a “deviation from core principles” and internal friction. His recent removal as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and replacement by Ashok Mittal (who ironically also joined BJP) was seen as the final straw in a long-standing rift.
Q2: Will the 7 MPs lose their seats in Parliament?
Likely no. Because they have moved as a group of seven, which is 70% of AAP’s total Rajya Sabha strength (10), they fulfill the legal requirement of a “two-thirds merger” under the Anti-Defection Law.
Q3: Who are the remaining AAP MPs in Rajya Sabha?
Only three remain: Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta, and Balbir Singh Seechewal.
Q4: What is the impact on the Punjab government?
While this affects the Rajya Sabha, the Bhagwant Mann government in the Punjab Assembly remains stable with its majority. However, the defection of six Punjab-origin MPs creates a significant perception challenge ahead of the 2027 state elections.
Q5: Is the merger final?
No. The merger is currently under review by the Rajya Sabha Chairman. It becomes official only after formal approval.
Q6: Can the MPs be disqualified?
If the Chairman determines that the two-thirds rule has not been properly met or procedural norms were violated, disqualification is possible.
Q7: What is the Tenth Schedule?
It is a part of the Indian Constitution that deals with defection. It allows protection from disqualification if at least two-thirds of legislators merge with another party.