New Delhi: In a massive jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday, April 24, seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, quit the party and announced their decision to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing a press conference, Chadha, flanked by Pathak and Mittal, said that more than two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs have quit the party. “We, two-thirds of the Members of Parliament belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha, will exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge with the BJP,” he said.
Chadha added that MPs Harbhajan Singh and Swati Maliwal are also quitting the AAP. “They have already signed, and this morning we submitted all the required documentation, including signed letters and other formal paperwork, to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha,” he said.
Hitting out at the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, Chadha said, “The AAP, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and gave 15 years of my youth to, has completely strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Now this party does not work in the interest of the nation but for its personal benefits.”
“For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party. Today, I announce my decision to move away from AAP and work more closely with the public,” he added.
Swati Maliwal also announced her decision to quit AAP, alleged that the party under Kejriwal had strayed from its founding principles and shielded individuals involved in misconduct.
In a post on social media on X (formerly Twitter), Maliwal said she had chosen the path of national and public service in 2006. She said, “From the RTI movement and the Anna movement to the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party and my eight years of dedicated service at the Delhi Commission for Women, I contributed with absolute honesty and devotion at every stage.”
“With great sorrow today, I must say that the principles, values and resolve for honest politics with which we began this journey have been abandoned by Arvind Kejriwal ji and, at his behest, the entire Aam Aadmi Party,” she added.
Recalling the incident which had taken place at Kejriwal’s official residence, Maliwal further alleged that she was subjected to “severe physical assault and gross misconduct” on his instructions and claimed that attempts were made to shield the accused.
She also accused the party leadership of allowing “rampant corruption”, promoting “criminal elements” and failing to address issues related to harassment and violence against women.
AAP sought Raghav Chadha’s removal earlier
The announcement follows weeks of visible tensions between Chadha and the party leadership. Earlier this month, AAP removed Chadha from the post of deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and reportedly requested that he not be allotted speaking time in the House. Ashok Mittal was subsequently appointed as the new deputy leader in his place.
Chadha reacted strongly to the demotion, describing himself as “wounded” and warning party leaders against sidelining his role.
In a recent Rajya Sabha speech, he also remarked that “the leader of my party is not here,” widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of the leadership. The move to merge with the BJP, according to his statement, comes days after his removal over allegations of not raising key issues against the government and engaging in what was described as “soft PR.”
ED probe against Ashok Mittal
Sandeep Pathak, another of the departing MPs, said the situation was one he had never anticipated. “For 10 years, I remained associated with this party. And today, I am parting ways with the Aam Aadmi Party,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ashok Mittal had come under scrutiny after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on April 15 at business entities linked to him in Punjab as part of a FEMA probe.
Kejriwal reacts
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, responding to the development, posted on X, “The BJP has once again given Punjabis a shove.”
AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, in a press conference, slammed the BJP. “The BJP has done the work of obstructing the good works done by the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government. Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs are joining the BJP. The people of Punjab should remember these seven names. The people of Punjab will never forget them,” Singh said.
