Arvind Kejriwal faced a major setback after Rajya Sabha recognised rebel MPs. Moreover, Raghav Chadha led this group along with several senior leaders. Additionally, the Secretariat issued a notification confirming their new political status. Therefore, authorities rejected AAP’s request and accepted the shift officially.
Seven Leaders Exit AAP Together
Earlier, Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal announced their exit publicly. Along with them, Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Vikram Sahani, and Rajinder Gupta joined. Notably, six among these seven members belong to Punjab. Consequently, this collective decision changed the party’s strength significantly.
AAP Raises Strong Objections
Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh criticised the move strongly and questioned its legality. He described this action as defection against Punjab voters and the Constitution. Furthermore, he warned that AAP might take legal steps if required. However, the latest notification dismissed these objections clearly.
Recognition Changes Rajya Sabha Numbers
After recognition, authorities now count these leaders under the Bharatiya Janata Party. As a result, AAP now holds only three members in the upper house. Therefore, this shift reshapes political equations within the Rajya Sabha.
Rebels Cite Ideological Shift
During the press conference on April 24, 2026, leaders explained their reasons openly. They claimed the party under Kejriwal drifted away from its original principles. Moreover, Chadha highlighted constitutional provisions allowing merger with two-thirds support. Consequently, they justified their move under existing rules.
Political Impact Still Unfolding
Now, this development signals a major internal crisis within AAP. Meanwhile, observers will track legal reactions and political consequences closely. Ultimately, this shift may influence upcoming parliamentary strategies significantly.
