Raghav Chadha Joins BJP: ‘Right Man in the Wrong Party,’ Says Former AAP Leader in Massive Political Shift

New Delhi, April 24, 2026 — In a seismic shift that has redrawn the landscape of Indian politics, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has officially resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The high-profile switch, accompanied by six other Rajya Sabha MPs, marks one of the most significant defections in recent years, leaving Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP in a state of unprecedented crisis.

Addressing a packed press conference in the national capital, Chadha delivered an emotional and scathing indictment of his former party, stating, “I felt like the right man in the wrong party.”

The Breakup: From ‘Blue-Eyed Boy’ to Outcast

Raghav Chadha, once considered the ‘blue-eyed boy’ of the AAP and a key architect of its national expansion, cited a profound deviation from the party’s founding principles as the reason for his departure.

“The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat for 15 years, has completely deviated from its morals. It is no longer working in the national interest but for personal gains and ‘sins’ that I could no longer be a part of,” Chadha told reporters.

The defection comes on the heels of a public and bitter rift. Just weeks ago, the AAP leadership demoted Chadha from his position as the Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing him with Ashok Mittal. The party had accused Chadha of engaging in “soft PR” for the BJP and refusing to critisize Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the floor of the House.

A Constitutional Coup: 2/3rd Merger with BJP

Chadha didn’t leave alone. In a strategic move designed to bypass the Anti-Defection Law, he announced that seven of the AAP’s ten Rajya Sabha members have decided to merge with the BJP. The group includes prominent names such as:

• Swati Maliwal
• Harbhajan Singh
• Sandeep Pathak
• Ashok Mittal
• Rajinder Gupta
• Vikramjit Singh Sahney

“We, being two-thirds of the AAP members in the Rajya Sabha, are exercising the provisions of the Constitution of India to merge ourselves with the BJP,” Chadha explained. He confirmed that the necessary documents and signed letters have already been submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

Why the BJP?

Explaining his choice to join the saffron party, Chadha praised the “decisive leadership” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

“Under PM Modi, India has taken bold steps that previous leaders were hesitant to take—from uprooting terrorism to making India a top global economy. I want to do positive politics. When my own party silenced my voice and asked the Parliament secretariat not to give me speaking time, I realized I had to choose a platform where I could truly serve the people,” he added.

AAP Hits Back: “Gave Him Everything”

The Aam Aadmi Party has reacted with fury, accusing Chadha of betrayal. Senior leaders, including Delhi Minister Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, had previously alleged that Chadha was distancing himself from party activities and refusing to sign key opposition motions, such as the one against the Chief Election Commissioner.

“We gave everything to Raghav Chadha—fame, position, and power. Today, he has ended up in the BJP’s lap,” a party spokesperson said in a terse statement following the announcement.

Impact on Delhi and Punjab Politics

This development is a body blow to the AAP, especially as it prepares for upcoming electoral challenges. Losing the majority of its Rajya Sabha contingent not only diminishes its voice in the Upper House but also signals internal rot that could influence voters in Delhi and Punjab.

For the BJP, the induction of a young, articulate, and popular face like Chadha—along with a legendary figure like Harbhajan Singh—strengthens its narrative of being the only viable national party for “principled” leaders.