Chadha Alleges Discontent Within AAP as Party Moves Against Defecting MPs

PTI, April 25, 2026, New Delhi: Leaders quitting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have not done so out of fear but due to a growing sense of "disappointment, disengagement and disgust" with the organisation, Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha said on Saturday, a day after he joined the BJP along with six other party MPs.

Referring to the 'Sheesh Mahal' row related to the official residence of Arvind Kejriwal when he was the Delhi Chief Minister, Chadha claimed it was one of the main reasons for AAP's defeat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.

Chadha said that every true patriot who had nurtured the AAP with their blood and sweat with great hope has either already left the party or is in the process of leaving it.

He claimed every honest and hardworking person now feels that there is "no space left to work in AAP" and that the party is moving on a wrong path with which no one wants to remain associated.

"Because of this, leaders have been leaving the party one after another," Chadha told PTI Videos.

AAP has accused the BJP of engineering the split and using fear of central agencies to poach its leaders.

Calling the seven MPs "gaddar" (traitors), the ruling party in Punjab said it will seek their disqualification from the Upper House.

However, Chadha said the MPs are leaving the AAP together because they believe it has gone into "corrupt and compromised hands".

Meanwhile, stung by the multiple defections of its Rajya Sabha members, the Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday announced that it will seek their disqualification from the Upper House, while the rebel group hit back, alleging corruption and ideological decline in their former party.

According to AAP sources, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sought time from President Droupadi Murmu for a meeting, along with party MLAs, to present his party's stand about the "recall" of the Rajya Sabha members who quit on Friday.

Six of the seven Rajya Sabha members who quit the AAP come from Punjab.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, AAP Rajya Sabha member and senior leader Sanjay Singh said the party will write to the Rajya Sabha Chairman to seek the disqualification of the MPs from the Upper House.

"Anti-defection law clearly states that any type of split or faction cannot happen in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. It does not carry any legal recognition, even if it's a two-thirds majority," Singh said.

The seven MPs who have joined the BJP are completely "unconstitutional" and "illegal," he said.