What Led to the AAP Defection? Inside the Rajya Sabha's Political Shake-Up

A significant political shift occurred in the Rajya Sabha as seven members from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move has increased BJP's representation while diminishing AAP's presence in the House. Raghav Chadha, one of the defectors, cited a toxic environment within AAP as a key reason for his departure. He expressed his belief that joining the BJP would allow him to pursue his political goals more effectively. This article delves into the implications of this merger and the motivations behind the members' decisions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 27, 2026, 12:28 IST

Political Shift in the Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: On Monday, the Rajya Sabha unveiled an updated list of party affiliations following the defection of seven members from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

This shift has boosted the BJP's strength in the House from 107 to 113, while AAP's representation has dwindled to just three members.

The defectors include Raghav Chadha, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikram Sahni, who announced their departure from AAP last week.

This development further consolidates the BJP's influence in the Upper House, leaving only Sanjay Singh, Narain Dass Gupta, and Sant Balbir Singh as the remaining representatives of AAP.

The group that defected constituted a significant two-thirds majority of AAP's Rajya Sabha members.

According to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which was amended in 1985, members are generally prohibited from defecting; however, there is a provision for 'mergers.'

If two-thirds of a party's elected members agree to merge with another party, they are not disqualified, nor are those who choose to stay with the original party. Chadha and his colleagues invoked this rule to justify their merger.

Earlier in the day, Chadha took to social media to elaborate on his reasons for leaving AAP, claiming that the party had become 'toxic' and asserting that joining the BJP would enable him to pursue his causes more effectively.

In a video shared on Instagram, a platform favored by younger audiences, Chadha reportedly lost around two million followers amid perceived backlash from the youth.

In the video, he expressed appreciation for the support he received and aimed to clarify his decision to exit the party.

"Many of you are curious about my reasons for this choice. Before entering politics, I was a practicing Chartered Accountant. I left that career to help establish a party, dedicating 15 years of my life to it—years filled with hard work and commitment," he stated.

However, he noted that the party has undergone significant changes. "Today, this party is no longer what it used to be; it has developed a toxic work environment."

"You are hindered from performing your duties; your voice is stifled in Parliament; and the party has fallen under the control of a few individuals who are corrupt and self-serving," Chadha added.

Reflecting on his internal struggles over recent years, he mentioned feeling like 'the right person in the wrong party.'

"Thus, I faced three choices: to exit politics entirely, to stay in this party and try to make changes—which proved impossible—or to redirect my efforts into positive politics by joining another party and engaging in constructive work," he explained.

"This decision was not made in isolation; it involved seven MPs collectively deciding to part ways with the party," he emphasized.

Chadha also defended the group's decision against the criticism they faced.