New Delhi: A day after exiting the Aam Aadmi Party and merging with the Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha intensified his criticism of his former party, stating that his decision to leave was driven by disappointment rather than fear.
In a strongly worded statement, Chadha rejected allegations that leaders had quit under pressure. He asserted that his exit was a conscious decision taken after becoming disillusioned with the functioning and direction of the party.
“No space for honest workers”
Chadha claimed that the party he once helped build no longer accommodates individuals committed to integrity and hard work. According to him, the internal environment had changed significantly over time, leaving little room for those who adhered to the party’s original ideals.
He alleged that many dedicated members who contributed to the party’s growth have either already left or are in the process of doing so, citing dissatisfaction with its current trajectory.
Allegations of deviation from core values
The former MP further alleged that the leadership had deviated from the founding principles on which the party was established. He suggested that this shift had created a disconnect between the leadership and grassroots workers.
In his remarks, Chadha indicated that the party was moving in a direction that many former members found difficult to associate with, prompting their exit.
Claim of collective decision by MPs
Highlighting the scale of the development, Chadha said that multiple Members of Parliament had decided to leave together, believing that the party had fallen into “compromised hands”.
He stated that seven Rajya Sabha MPs had jointly taken the decision, signalling what he described as a broader concern within the party’s parliamentary ranks.
Feeling “out of place” in party
Reflecting on his personal experience, Chadha said he had felt increasingly out of place within the party over the past few years. He described his situation as being “in the wrong party,” suggesting a growing ideological and functional mismatch.
He added that he was not part of the leadership’s inner circle and implied that this distance stemmed from differences in approach and functioning.
Merger with BJP and legal provisions
Chadha, along with six other Rajya Sabha MPs — Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney and Swati Maliwal — formally merged with the BJP.
The group submitted the required documentation to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, invoking provisions that allow a merger if at least two-thirds of a party’s MPs support the move.
With seven out of 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha backing the decision, the group met the threshold required to retain their membership in the Upper House.
Political reactions and ongoing dispute
The development has triggered a political confrontation, with AAP leaders opposing the move. Party leader Sanjay Singh has reportedly sought disqualification of some of the MPs involved in the merger.
Chadha’s remarks are expected to further intensify the political debate, as they shift focus from the procedural aspects of the merger to the reasons behind the exit.
Conclusion
The exit of multiple MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party marks a significant political development, with potential implications for both parliamentary dynamics and party structures. As the dispute unfolds, the matter may see further scrutiny both politically and legally, while highlighting internal challenges within party systems.