Mumbai Police detained several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers on Monday after they staged a protest outside Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha’s residence in Khar. The demonstrators raised slogans, burnt effigies, and accused Chadha of betrayal following his reported decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with other AAP MPs.
Protest and Police Action
According to AAP, the protest was peaceful and had received prior permission from authorities. However, the party alleged that police prevented workers from gathering and later detained them. After being dispersed, activists regrouped at Bandra station before continuing their protest. Police confirmed the detentions, which included AAP leader Ruben Mascarenhas.
Political Context
The incident occurs amid a significant political upheaval within AAP. Chadha and six other party MPs recently left AAP and joined the BJP, triggering internal conflict and leadership turmoil. The move has been widely seen as a major blow to the party, which is already facing challenges in several states.
The protest outside Chadha’s home reflects growing discontent among AAP workers, who view the defections as a betrayal of the party’s principles. The party has accused the BJP of poaching its leaders to weaken the opposition.
As the political drama unfolds, both AAP and BJP are expected to issue statements clarifying their positions. Meanwhile, the detained workers are likely to be released after questioning, though legal proceedings may follow.
