BJP Strengthens Rajya Sabha Numbers After AAP Defections; Chadha Defends Exit

New Delhi, April 2026 : The composition of the Rajya Sabha witnessed a significant shift on Monday as seven members from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formally defected and merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), prompting the Upper House Secretariat to release a revised list of party positions.

With the inclusion of the defectors, the BJP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha has risen from 107 to 113 members, further consolidating its position in the Upper House. In contrast, AAP’s presence has been reduced dramatically to just three members — Sanjay Singh, Narain Dass Gupta, and Sant Balbir Singh.

The seven leaders who switched sides — Raghav Chadha, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikram Sahni — had announced their decision last week, describing it as a collective move aimed at pursuing what they termed “constructive politics.”

Notably, the defecting group constituted more than two-thirds of AAP’s total strength in the Rajya Sabha, allowing them to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law. As per the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, introduced through the 52nd Amendment in 1985, individual defections invite disqualification. However, an exception is made in cases of mergers, where at least two-thirds of a party’s legislators agree to join another political formation. The seven MPs cited this provision to validate their transition to the BJP.

Earlier in the day, Raghav Chadha took to social media to explain his decision to leave AAP, offering a detailed account of his journey and the circumstances that led to the split. In a video message shared online, Chadha — once considered a key face of AAP — said he had devoted 15 years of his life to building the party, having left a successful career as a Chartered Accountant to enter public life.

However, he claimed that the party had undergone a fundamental transformation over time. According to him, it no longer reflected the ideals on which it was founded and had instead become “toxic” in its functioning. Chadha alleged that internal dissent was stifled, leaders were prevented from effectively performing their duties, and decision-making had become concentrated in the hands of a few individuals.

He described feeling increasingly conflicted in recent years, stating that he often felt like “the right person in the wrong party.” Faced with this dilemma, Chadha outlined three choices before him — quitting politics altogether, staying within the party to attempt reform, or joining another political platform to continue his work more effectively.

He said the decision to leave was not taken lightly and emphasized that it was a collective move by seven MPs rather than an individual choice. Defending the group’s decision, Chadha argued that such a large number of leaders could not all be mistaken in their assessment of the situation within the party.

Addressing criticism over the defection, he drew a comparison with professional environments, suggesting that individuals often leave workplaces that become restrictive or unproductive. He maintained that the move was aimed at enabling him and his colleagues to function more effectively and deliver on public expectations.

The political development has triggered reactions across party lines and among supporters, with reports suggesting a backlash on social media platforms. Despite this, Chadha asserted that his commitment to public service remains unchanged and that he would continue to raise issues concerning citizens with renewed focus and energy.

The shift is expected to have wider political implications, particularly in the functioning of the Rajya Sabha, where the BJP’s enhanced numbers could influence legislative dynamics in the coming sessions.