Anna Hazare Critiques Raghav Chadha's Political Shift to BJP

Anna Hazare has publicly criticized Raghav Chadha's recent decision to leave the Aam Aadmi Party for the Bharatiya Janata Party, calling such political defections for personal gain inappropriate. He emphasized the need for elected representatives to adhere to constitutional values and maintain democratic ethics. This statement follows a significant political shift where several AAP MPs announced their departure from the party. In response, AAP leaders are strategizing to address the implications of this split. Hazare's historical connection to AAP adds weight to his comments, making this a pivotal moment in Indian politics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 25, 2026, 12:12 IST

Anna Hazare's Stance on Political Defections

Social activist Anna Hazare expressed his disapproval on Saturday regarding Raghav Chadha's decision to leave the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He stated that such political shifts for personal gain are inappropriate and contradict constitutional values. Hazare emphasized that elected officials should act in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and avoid decisions driven by self-interest, highlighting the importance of upholding democratic ethics.

Comments Made in Maharashtra

Speaking to a news agency in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, Hazare remarked that switching parties is not right and that political defection for personal benefit is unacceptable. He pointed out that there is no mention of such actions in our Constitution, which is supreme and the foundation of our nation. He further noted that if the party was on the right path, Raghav Chadha and other Rajya Sabha members would not have left.

Hazare's Historical Role with AAP

Hazare played a significant role as a leader and ideological guide in the formation of AAP during the anti-corruption movement in 2011. However, he distanced himself from the party after it entered mainstream politics. His comments came in the wake of recent political developments where MPs Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal announced their departure from AAP on Friday and subsequently joined the BJP in the presence of party leader Nitin Nabeen, who welcomed their decision. In a press conference in Delhi, Chadha confirmed that he and six other Rajya Sabha members had notified the House Speaker of their departure from AAP, stating that two-thirds of the party's members would merge with the BJP.

AAP's Response and Future Plans

In response, AAP has begun formulating a new strategy. Senior party leader Manish Sisodia met with AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal at his residence late at night after returning from campaigning for the Gujarat municipal elections. Sources indicate that the two leaders discussed the potential impacts of the split and future plans during their meeting, which lasted over half an hour.