A major blow to the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab as 7 Rajya Sabha MPs join the BJP, causing political upheaval. Learn about the full sequence of events and reactions.
Major rebellion of AAP leaders: 7 MPs join BJP
A major political event in Chandigarh on April 24, 2026 has captured the nation’s attention. According to local sources and media reports, an incident considered the biggest shock yet for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has emerged. Seven Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab have decided to leave their original party and join the BJP. Following this development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and national convenor Arvind Kejriwal have called it a ‘betrayal of the people of Punjab.’
According to political experts, this is not just a defection but a planned strategy aimed at destabilizing the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. Media reports suggest that these seven MPs include key figures like Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, and Sandeep Pathak. As the news spread like wildfire, the entire political atmosphere in Punjab has heated up.
Reacting to this serious situation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated clearly that the BJP has always had an anti-Punjab mentality. He said, “Ever since we passed strict laws regarding blasphemy in Punjab, the BJP has been extremely restless. They cannot digest this decision.” The Chief Minister accused the BJP of adopting such low tactics to take revenge for its repeated defeats in Punjab.
On the other hand, Arvind Kejriwal expressed his anguish on social media, stating that the BJP has once again played with the emotions of the people of Punjab. There is also widespread anger among local people and activists regarding this incident. According to informants, activists who worked for years to build the party are now saddened by the behavior of these MPs. Bhagwant Mann even went so far as to say, “The sacred land of Punjab never forgives traitors. The people will definitely give an answer when the time comes.”
Preparations for legal action in this matter have also begun. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has adopted a tough stance on this issue. He has written to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha demanding that Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, and Sandeep Pathak be declared disqualified. The party believes that voluntarily leaving party membership falls under the anti-defection law according to the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, AAP’s Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj attacked the BJP’s alleged ‘washing machine’ policy, saying, “Those who raise their voice against BJP’s corruption are being pushed behind bars using the ED as a weapon.” He questioned, “If the opposition voice is suppressed, who will determine accountability in democracy?” This sequence of events shows how tense the political atmosphere in the country has become.
Following this incident, many questions are arising about whether the Aam Aadmi Party will be able to recover from this shock. However, the party’s national chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar has made it clear that there is no shortage of leadership in the party. She said, “This party is not made up of one Raghav Chadha or Sandeep Pathak. Thousands of activists connected to Arvind Kejriwal’s mission form its foundation.” Kakkar also said, “These people might want to become leaders on Instagram and social media, but our mission is to fulfill basic needs like education and health.”
Finally, political analysts in Punjab believe that although such defections may appear to benefit the BJP in the short term, in the long run, public sympathy may shift towards the Aam Aadmi Party. The people of Punjab have always been against those who bring political instability. According to Bhagwant Mann, “AAP is a party with a revolutionary ideology, and we will continue to fight for the truth.” Now it remains to be seen what decision the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha takes on this letter in the coming days and whether these seven MPs will actually lose their seats. One thing is clear: Punjab’s politics will heat up further in the days to come.
