'Party deviated from its path': Raghav Chadha & 6 other MPs quit Aam Aadmi Party, to join BJP

Two-thirds of Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs are quitting party, said Raghav Chadha.

In a big jolt to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), its Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Friday announced quitting Arvind Kejriwal-led party and said will join BJP. Announcing the decision, Chadha said, "the AAP that I nurtured with my blood for 15 years has deviated from its path."

Addressing a press conference with Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, Chadha said, "The AAP, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat, and gave 15 years of my youth to, has deviated from its principles, values and core morals."

He added, "Now this party does not work in the interest of the nation but for its personal benefits...For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party. So, today, we announce that I am distancing myself from the AAP and getting close to public."

Chadha said 2/3rd MPs of AAP in Rajya Sabha will merge with the BJP. Besides Raghav Chadha, Rajya Sabha MPs Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal also quit Aam Aadmi Party. Chadha said Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney and Swati Maliwal will also join BJP along with them.

"There are 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha, more than 2/3rd of them are with us in this. They have signed and this morning we submitted the signed letter and documents to the Rajya Sabha Chairman...3 of them are here before you. Besides us, there are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney and Swati Maliwal."

Following the press conference, Chadha took to X, and wrote, "Today, exercising the provisions of the Constitution of India, more than two-thirds of the AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha have merged with the BJP."

"Seven MPs have signed the document, which was submitted to the Hon’ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. I, along with two other MPs, personally handed over the signed documents," the Rajya Sabha MP added.