Raghav Chadha Alleges ‘Vendetta’ After AAP Turncoats Join BJP 

Chadha claims he is the “next target” as Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann meets President Murmu, demanding disqualification of seven rebel Rajya Sabha MPs.

A day after seven Aam Aadmi Party MPs formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha has alleged a campaign of political retribution from the Punjab government, claiming he is now in their crosshairs.

‘I am their next target’

Addressing reporters after a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, Chadha accused the Bhagwant Mann-led dispensation of weaponising state agencies to settle scores.

“They have started a dangerous game of revenge with the help of agencies such as the Vigilance Board and the Pollution Board. According to sources, I will be their next target,” Chadha said. He added that threats were being circulated through official state resources on social media, an allegation the Punjab government has not yet responded to.

The clearest sign of escalating tension came when both Chadha and rebel MP Sandeep Pathak met the President in the morning, followed hours later by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann seeking the exact opposite—action against the very same leaders.

Mann seeks disqualification

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who also met President Murmu later in the day, demanded the immediate cancellation of the rebel MPs’ membership.

“The way the Constitution was violated when seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs claimed they were a different party and merged with the BJP is unconstitutional. We demanded the cancellation of their membership. If the Central government misuses its power in Punjab, we will take action,” Mann told reporters.

Several AAP MLAs from Punjab have travelled to New Delhi in a show of strength, signalling that the party intends to fight the defections legally and politically.

‘Fake FIRs and intimidation’

Chadha alleged that the pressure was not just political but bureaucratic. He claimed that industrialist Rajinder Gupta’s factory had faced punitive action, including having its water supply disconnected, and that former AAP leaders were being hit with fabricated cases.

“We made the President aware of the misuse of Punjab’s state machinery. She has assured us of protection and of upholding the Constitution,” Chadha said.

Sandeep Pathak echoed similar concerns. “We exercised our constitutional right to leave the party. Now, fake FIRs are being filed to threaten us. We are not scared and will fight this legally,” Pathak said, referring to cases he claims were registered by Punjab Police.

A warning to officials

In a remark that drew sharp reactions, Chadha issued a pointed warning to state bureaucrats. “I want to tell Punjab government officers to be cautious, as the present government has only a few years remaining.”

He further alleged that AAP workers, possibly with police help, vandalised former cricketer Harbhajan Singh’s residence by scrawling “deshdrohi” (traitor) outside his home. The cricketer has not yet commented on the incident.

Punjab Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO dismissed the political crossovers as “undemocratic,” adding that the manner in which the seven MPs switched sides was a betrayal of the mandate.

With both sides now taking their battle to the President’s door, the coming days could see legal petitions and potential disqualification proceedings. For now, the political corridor in Delhi is watching how the Rashtrapati Bhavan responds to two opposing demands from the same state.

Raghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP

Big Resignation Announcement

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Friday, April 24, announced his resignation from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Addressing a press conference in Delhi, he confirmed he was joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move comes barely three weeks after AAP removed him as deputy leader of the party’s Rajya Sabha MPs.

Two-Thirds MPs Merging

Chadha claimed that AAP had moved away from its founding principles. “The party now works for personal interests, not national welfare,” he said. He further stated that two-thirds of AAP’s 10 Rajya Sabha MPs — seven in total — were merging with him. The names he listed included Sandeep Pathak, Rajendra Gupta, Vikram Sahni, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, and himself.

Ashok Mittal Quits After ED Raids

Sources indicated that Ashok Mittal, the newly appointed deputy leader of AAP in Rajya Sabha, walked out of the party on the 10th day after the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids linked to a funding matter. Mittal, also Vice-Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, could not be reached for an immediate comment.

Praise for PM Modi

Chadha praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said the central government had taken strong decisions on terrorism and the economy, which earlier leaders hesitated to make. “I feel privileged to work under PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah,” Chadha added. He assured that he would continue raising public issues with the same energy as before.

Kejriwal Reacts

Delhi’s former chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal has not yet issued a formal statement. However, party insiders said Kejriwal was assessing the damage. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged an “Operation Lotus” against the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab. “Dirty games will not be forgiven by the people of Punjab,” Singh said.

What Led to the Split

On April 2, AAP removed Chadha as deputy leader of the party’s Rajya Sabha MPs. A letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat said Chadha should no longer get speaking time under the party quota. The next day, Chadha released a video saying, “I have been silenced, not defeated.” He compared himself to a river turning into a flood when the time comes.

What Next for AAP

With seven MPs reportedly leaving, AAP’s strength in the upper house could shrink drastically. The BJP leadership has not officially confirmed the merger. Political analysts tracking this India News Update say the development could impact AAP’s national expansion plans. The party currently governs Punjab and holds significant presence in Delhi. All eyes are now on the Rajya Sabha Chairman’s office for any formal communication on the change in party affiliations.