In a dramatic political development, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered a major setback on April 24 as seven of its Rajya Sabha members announced their resignation, marking one of the most significant internal ruptures in the party’s history. Among those leading the exit are prominent figures such as Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal.
At a joint press conference, the trio revealed that more than two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs have broken away and intend to align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a separate faction. The announcement suggests not just dissent, but an organized split with potential implications for parliamentary dynamics.
Chadha, once seen as a close aide to AAP leadership, framed his departure in deeply personal and ideological terms. He stated that the party he had devoted 15 years to had “strayed from its principles, values and core morals.” His recent removal as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha—replaced by Mittal—appears to have been a key inflection point, underscoring growing tensions within the party ranks.
The numbers further highlight the scale of the crisis. Of AAP’s 10 MPs in the Upper House, at least seven are reportedly part of this breakaway group. Chadha confirmed that formal documentation, including signed letters, has already been submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman, indicating that the split is procedurally underway and not merely symbolic.
The political messaging from the departing leaders has been sharply critical of the party’s current direction under Arvind Kejriwal. Chadha accused the leadership of prioritizing internal interests over national service, a charge that reflects a broader narrative often seen in party schisms—where ideological drift is cited as justification for exit.
Pathak echoed similar sentiments, expressing regret over the turn of events but acknowledging that the separation had become unavoidable after a decade-long association with AAP. Meanwhile, Chadha also indicated that other MPs, including Harbhajan Singh and Swati Maliwal, are expected to follow suit, potentially deepening the crisis.
Adding another layer of complexity is the recent scrutiny faced by Mittal. On April 15, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on business entities linked to him as part of a FEMA probe. While no direct connection has been established between the investigation and the political defections, the timing raises questions about external pressures and their possible influence on internal party dynamics.
For the BJP, the development presents an opportunity to consolidate influence in the Upper House without direct electoral gains. For AAP, however, the immediate challenge lies in damage control—both in terms of public perception and internal stability.
Whether this split remains confined to parliamentary ranks or triggers a broader organizational unravelling will depend on how effectively the party leadership responds in the coming days.
