Politics – AAP Faces Major Setback After Rajya Sabha Members Switch Sides
Politics – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is reassessing its political approach after a significant number of its Rajya Sabha members exited the party and aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The development has triggered urgent internal discussions, with senior leaders evaluating the implications for both the party’s parliamentary strength and its broader political strategy.
Leadership Meets to Assess Damage
Late on Friday night, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia held a meeting with party convenor Arvind Kejriwal shortly after returning from Gujarat. Sisodia had been in Rajkot campaigning for upcoming municipal elections. According to party insiders, he went directly from the airport to Kejriwal’s residence, where the two leaders spoke for over 30 minutes.
The discussion reportedly focused on understanding the fallout from the recent departures and identifying ways to stabilise the party’s position in Parliament. With a reduced presence in the Rajya Sabha, AAP leaders are now considering both organisational and political adjustments to counter the setback.
Formal Communication to Rajya Sabha Chairman
The situation escalated after senior leader Raghav Chadha, along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha members, formally notified the Chairman of their decision to leave the party. This step, taken in accordance with parliamentary rules, has prompted AAP to initiate its own response through official channels.
Party sources confirmed that AAP is preparing to submit a formal complaint to the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The letter will reportedly be filed by the party’s chief whip in the Upper House, ND Gupta, seeking action against certain members under anti-defection provisions.
Anti-Defection Law Invoked
The party plans to request disqualification proceedings against three members—Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal—who were publicly seen associating with the BJP. AAP leaders argue that their visible participation in the rival party’s activities constitutes a violation of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which governs disqualification on grounds of defection.
According to internal assessments, while seven members left the party, only three were openly seen joining the BJP in public forums. This distinction is likely to play a role in how the complaint is framed and pursued.
Senior leader Sanjay Singh has also indicated that he will independently write to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, reinforcing the demand for disqualification of the concerned members. The party is aiming to ensure that parliamentary rules are applied strictly in this case.
Rift Within Party Became Increasingly Visible
The current situation did not emerge suddenly. Over the past few weeks, tensions within the party had become increasingly apparent. The leadership’s decision to remove Raghav Chadha from the position of deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha marked a turning point.
Following his removal, several party members publicly criticised Chadha, accusing him of maintaining a soft stance toward the BJP. This internal disagreement gradually widened, eventually leading to the current split.
Ashok Kumar Mittal, who replaced Chadha in the leadership role, also joined the BJP along with other members, including Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, and Swati Maliwal. Their collective departure has significantly altered AAP’s representation in the Upper House.
Party Looks Ahead Amid Uncertainty
With its parliamentary strength reduced, AAP now faces the challenge of rebuilding internal cohesion while maintaining its political relevance at the national level. The leadership is expected to focus on strengthening its organisational structure and reinforcing loyalty among remaining members.
At the same time, the party’s ongoing campaign efforts in states like Gujarat indicate that it intends to continue expanding its presence despite recent setbacks. How effectively AAP manages this crisis could shape its trajectory in the coming months.