Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has claimed that two-thirds of the party’s Rajya Sabha MPs are in contact with him. If his claim proves to be true, it would fall under a “technical merger” as per the anti-defection law, meaning the members’ seats would not be at risk of disqualification.
According to Chadha, prominent names such as Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, and Rajinder Gupta are part of this list of MPs reportedly distancing themselves from the party.
Announcing his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chadha launched a sharp attack on AAP, saying, “I was the right person in the wrong party.” He alleged that AAP has deviated from its founding principles and is heading towards ideological decline. He further stated that he and his associates now trust the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and are joining the BJP.
Raghav Chadha
Raghav Chadha is a Chartered Accountant. He joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) around 2012 during the Anna Hazare movement and became a close associate of Arvind Kejriwal. He managed the party's financial and media strategies in Delhi, later becoming active in Punjab as well. In 2022, he was elected as a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and emerged as a prominent young face within the party. Known for his impactful speeches in Parliament, he has recently announced his decision to leave the AAP following differences with the party leadership.
Ashok Kumar Mittal
Ashok Kumar Mittal is a successful industrialist. He hails from a prominent business family in Punjab and has long been active in social work. In 2022, the AAP sent him to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab. As recently as April 2026, the Aam Aadmi Party appointed him as the Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.
Sandeep Pathak
Sandeep Pathak is a veteran worker of the Aam Aadmi Party. He has been actively involved in the party's grassroots operations within Punjab politics. In 2022, Pathak became a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab. He has held various responsibilities within the party's Punjab unit. He has now indicated that, alongside Raghav Chadha, he intends to resign from the AAP and join the BJP.
Swati Maliwal
Swati Maliwal is a social activist and an advocate for women's rights. She served as the former Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) and has remained active on issues concerning women. In 2024, the AAP sent her to the Rajya Sabha from Delhi for the first time. She is a widely recognized figure who has, at times, also been at the center of controversies. Raghav Chadha has claimed that Maliwal, too, has distanced herself from the Aam Aadmi Party.
Harbhajan Singh
India's legendary former spin bowler, Harbhajan Singh, transitioned from the world of cricket into politics. Hailing from the Jalandhar region of Punjab, Harbhajan entered the Rajya Sabha in 2022 on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket. He has consistently spoken on issues related to sports, youth, and Punjabi culture, although he has appeared relatively less active in political activities. Raghav Chadha has stated that Harbhajan Singh, too, will be leaving the Aam Aadmi Party to join the BJP.
Vikramjit Singh Sahney
Vikramjit Singh Sahney also comes from an industrialist family in Punjab and has managed several educational institutions. He has also undertaken humanitarian initiatives, such as assisting members of the Sikh and Hindu communities from Afghanistan. In 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party appointed him as a Rajya Sabha MP. According to Raghav, Sahney may also join the BJP very soon.
Rajinder Gupta
Padma Shri awardee Rajinder Gupta is the former Managing Director of the Trident Group. A prominent businessman from Punjab, he entered the Rajya Sabha on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket during the 2025 by-election, following the resignation of Sanjeev Arora. He remains actively engaged with issues related to industry, employment, and economic development. His name is now also being mentioned among the group of individuals who are reportedly leaving the Aam Aadmi Party.