Seven of the ten Rajya Sabha MPs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, delivering a significant blow to AAP ahead of next year's assembly elections in Punjab, the only state where it holds power. The defection occurs as former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has ramped up his campaign against the BJP following his discharge in the excise policy case.
How the Anti-Defection Law Was Bypassed
The seven MPs—ND Gupta, Sushil Gupta, Ram Singh, Sandeep Pathak, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, and Harbhajan Singh—escaped the anti-defection law by invoking the merger provision under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. According to this provision, if at least two-thirds of a party's legislators in a House agree to merge with another party, they are not disqualified. The BJP leadership claimed that the merger was formalized after the seven MPs submitted a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, stating their decision to merge with the BJP.
Political Implications for AAP
This mass defection severely weakens AAP's parliamentary strength and its organizational base in Punjab. The party now has only three Rajya Sabha MPs left, reducing its ability to influence national legislation and policy debates. Moreover, the move is seen as a strategic setback for Kejriwal, who has been positioning himself as a key opposition figure against the BJP. The defection also raises questions about AAP's internal cohesion and its prospects in the upcoming Punjab elections, where it faces a strong challenge from the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Boost for BJP
For the BJP, the induction of seven new Rajya Sabha MPs strengthens its numbers in the upper house, where it has been seeking to increase its majority. The defection also provides the BJP with a foothold in Punjab, a state where it has struggled to gain significant traction. Political analysts suggest that the BJP may use these MPs to expand its influence in the state ahead of the 2027 assembly polls.
Reactions and Aftermath
AAP leaders condemned the defection, accusing the BJP of poaching their MPs through intimidation and inducements. Kejriwal tweeted that the move was an attempt to destabilize AAP and undermine democratic processes. Meanwhile, the BJP welcomed the new members, with party president JP Nadda stating that the MPs were impressed by the Modi government's development agenda. The Election Commission is expected to review the merger's validity, but legal experts opine that the anti-defection law's merger clause makes it difficult to challenge.
