New Delhi, Apr 24: In a significant political development, Raghav Chadha on Friday announced his decision to quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), days after his removal as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi alongside Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, Chadha stated that two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs have decided to invoke constitutional provisions to merge with the BJP.

Apart from Pathak, Mittal and Chadha, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, and Rajinder Gupta also resigned from AAP.

“We have decided that we, the two-thirds members belonging to the AAP in Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP,” Chadha said.

Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal also announced their exit from AAP and intention to join the BJP.

‘Party Deviated from Core Principles’
Explaining his decision, Chadha said the party he had been associated with for over a decade had strayed from its founding ideals.

“The AAP, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat, and gave 15 years of my youth to, has deviated from its principles, values and core morals. Now this party does not work in the interest of the nation but for its personal benefits,” he said.

Also Read: Centre Provides Security to Raghav Chadha in Delhi and Punjab: Sources

He added, “For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party. So, today, we announce that I am distancing myself from the AAP.”

Major Political Development
The announcement comes amid internal tensions within AAP following Chadha’s removal from a key parliamentary role, marking a major shift in the party’s leadership dynamics.