- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 27 Apr 2026 01:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Raghav Chadha explained his switch from AAP to BJP.
- Chadha cited "toxic work environment" and disappointment with AAP.
- Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs reportedly joined BJP.
Days after a political controversy within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), former AAP leader Raghav Chadha on Monday posted a video on Instagram responding to criticism over his alleged switch from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In the video, he addressed the messages he has been receiving since the announcement and explained his reasons for leaving AAP.
He said, “For the past three days, I have received lots of congratulatory messages from you, whereas some people are curious about my reasons for quitting AAP and joining the BJP.”
He further added, “I did not join politics to make my career. I have devoted 15 years of my youth to AAP and have become a founding member of a political party.”
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Criticising the internal functioning of the Aam Aadmi Party, Chadha said, “Today the party is no longer the same as the one I joined years ago. The party has a toxic work environment and you are stopped from working and speaking in the Parliament.”
He described himself as “the right person in the wrong party.” Explaining his decision, he said he evaluated several options, including quitting politics, attempting internal reform, or joining another party, before finally deciding his course of action.
Quiz
Chadha said, “I did not leave out of fear, but disappointment, disenchantment and disgust.”
Major Setback For AAP
In a big setback for the Aam Aadmi Party, seven of its ten Rajya Sabha MPs which is two-thirds of the party’s strength in the Upper House have reportedly moved to the BJP on Friday.
This has triggered strong political reactions, particularly in Punjab, where AAP’s governance will face a crucial test ahead of the Assembly elections next year.
ALSO READ: How Raghav Chadha’s Proposal To Increase Anti-Defection Threshold Could’ve Prevented AAP Split
The latest episode came after AAP MP Raghav Chadha was removed as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha just three weeks ago. He later stated that he, along with six other party MPs, had “merged with the BJP”.
Besides Chadha, the MPs who switched include Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Swati Maliwal and Harbhajan Singh.