The Rajya Sabha witnessed changes in party positions as seven members from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move boosted the BJP’s representation in the House to 113 members, while the AAP’s presence dwindled to just three. The defectors, including Raghav Chadha and Swati Maliwal, announced their decision to leave AAP and merge with the BJP, strengthening the latter’s position in the Upper House.
The group that switched sides constituted a significant majority of AAP’s Rajya Sabha members. Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, members are generally barred from defection, except in cases of “mergers.” Chadha and the others cited this provision to justify their move. Chadha, in a social media post, explained his departure from AAP, citing a perceived toxic environment within the party and his alignment with causes he believes in through the BJP.
Chadha’s decision sparked reactions on social media, particularly among the youth, with his video message on Instagram attracting attention. In the video, he expressed gratitude for the support received and elaborated on his reasons for leaving AAP. Chadha highlighted his dilemma of feeling out of place in his former party and emphasized the need for constructive political engagement, leading to the collective decision with six other MPs to switch allegiance.
