NEW DELHI: In a significant political development, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Friday announced his departure from the party. Addressing a press conference alongside Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, Chadha revealed that a group of AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha had decided to sever ties with the party and align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Constitutional Merger with BJP
“We have decided that we, the two-thirds members belonging to the AAP in Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP,” Chadha stated. He praised the central government and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, citing strong decisions on terrorism and India's global economic standing.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has taken several strong decisions that earlier leaders were perhaps hesitant to take, whether it is uprooting terrorism or bringing India among the top global economies,” he added.
Endorsement of Leadership
Chadha noted that the people have endorsed this leadership three times. “We all feel fortunate to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the determination of Home Minister Amit Shah, and we will continue to work tirelessly for the nation,” he said. Addressing concerns about his ability to represent citizens, he assured, “I will continue to raise all your issues with the same commitment, enthusiasm, and energy.”
Criticism of AAP's Drift
Chadha made broader allegations about internal developments within AAP, claiming the party had strayed from its founding ideals. “Before entering politics, I was a practising Chartered Accountant. Along with me on this platform were people from different fields—some were scientists, others were educationists. Today, those leaving AAP include a world-class cricketer, a Padma Shri awardee, and social activists,” he said.
He expressed sadness that the party, formed to end corruption, is now “deeply trapped in the hands of corrupt and compromised individuals.” Chadha added, “That is why every patriotic person who joined AAP to serve the nation has either already left or is leaving the party one by one.”
Numbers and Signatures
Referring to the Upper House, Chadha said there are 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha, and more than two-thirds are with them. “They have signed, and this morning we submitted the signed letter and documents to the Rajya Sabha Chairman. Three of them are here before you. Besides us, there are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney, and Swati Maliwal,” he listed.
Reason for Distance
Chadha explained his distancing from party activities, stating, “I did not want to be a part of their crimes. I was not eligible for their friendship because I was not a part of their crime. We had just two options—either quit politics and give up our public work of the last 15-16 years, or do positive politics with our energy and experience. So, we have decided to merge with the BJP.”
