Raghav Chadha news highlights: Bharadwaj’s ‘big netas, deep pockets’ jibe after 7 AAP MPs defect

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Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party following the exit of seven Rajya Sabha MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party, saying the party remains rooted in its volunteer base.

In a post on X, Bharadwaj said, “Many volunteers have been calling & texting about the 7 MPs who chose to join BJP. We must understand one thing - the BJP Govt is scared of questions. They do not want opposition parties who ask uncomfortable questions to power.”

He added, “AAP was never about those 7 MPs of Rajya Sabha, AAP is about volunteers who never asked for even a councillor ticket and yet gave up all they had - career, family, studies.”

Taking a swipe at the use of central agencies, he said, “Big netas with deep pockets can be scared by ED, AAP Volunteers can't be. We must keep asking Questions.”

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Social Activist Anna Hazare says, "Leaving one party and joining another party is not right... Changing political parties for our selfish needs is not the right thing. This is not mentioned in our Constitution. Our Constitution is supreme. Our country functions based on the Constitution."

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Reacting to the exit of seven Rajya Sabha MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party, union minister Sanjay Seth said the developments should not be viewed only through the lens of elections.

He told PTI news agency, “Everyone associates everything with the elections. Their countdown began way before the elections. There has been no year when elections were not taking place in the country. Elections are held all the time, this is why PM Modi is calling for ‘One Nation One Election’... Will development not take place just because there are elections somewhere at any given time?”

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: The dramatic exit of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs may have unfolded in a single day, but the groundwork, it appears, was laid weeks earlier.

What seemed sudden on Friday is now being seen, as per HT inputs, as part of a longer political build-up that traces back to Punjab — and crucially, to a visit by Union home minister Amit Shah.

HT has learnt that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to accommodate disgruntled AAP MPs was taken around the time Amit Shah visited Punjab for a rally in Moga on March 14. Read More

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: The BJP has attacked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal over his new Lodhi Estate bungalow. Delhi's deputy CM Parvesh Verma called it “Sheesh Mahal 2” and alleged lavish spending and use of private money for upgrades.

"After he was forced out of Sheesh Mahal by Dhurandhar voters of Delhi, he shifted to Punjab, where he grabbed a bungalow, and now he has prepared Sheesh Mahal 2 at Lodhi Estate," Verma said, as per news agency PTI.

Verma claimed Kejriwal is used to luxury living and demanded details of the expenditure. The AAP has not yet responded to the allegations.

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: TMC MP Mahua Moitra slammed Raghav Chadha he and other AAP members joined the BJP on Friday.

“He’d rather be a part of BJP’s crimes,” she wrote on X, quoting Chadha saying he didn't want to be a part of the Aam Aadmi party's “crimes.”

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Raghav Chadha was aligned with the BJP for a long time, Punjab health minister Balbir Singh alleged.

“Raghav Chadha was following the BJP line for a long time and not the AAP's line," he told news agency ANI. “Like the raids were happening, it seems that the BJP was going to do something,” he added.

He added that the AAP and Punjab government would continue working normally, but criticised the defecting leaders, saying they should resign from their Rajya Sabha posts before joining another party.

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has called the BJP “shameless” after 7 AAP MPs joined the party on Friday. He also compared the saffron party to the mythological demon Bakasura.

“Everyone knows the politics the BJP is playing. Their politics is a single word, we call it shameless. They have no shame. Because these people, like Raghav Chadha, who was also our friend, until yesterday, openly said that the BJP is a party of goons, a party of thugs and corrupt people. All of them have joined the party of goons and corrupt people in wholesale... There's a demon in the Mahabharata. His name is Bakasura. His hunger is never satiated, his stomach is never full,” Raut said during a press conference.

He alleged that the defecting MPs would soon realise they have entered a “hell-like” situation. Raut also dismissed them as “Page 3 leaders” and claimed such exits will not weaken the opposition. (ANI)

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi on Friday took a swipe at the Aam Aadmi Party, claiming leaders in other parties are increasingly gravitating towards the BJP.

Speaking to ANI, Saraogi said, “Good people in other parties are feeling suffocated in their own parties, and they all believe in the policies of the BJP...that is why people from other parties are joining the BJP. In the times to come, more people will be seen doing so.”

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took a veiled dig at the recent political developments following the exit of multiple leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party.

Using a metaphor, Mann said, “Ginger, garlic, cumin, fenugreek powder, red chili, black pepper, and coriander—these 7 things together make the vegetable taste great, but on their own, they can't become a ‘vegetable.’”

Mann did not directly name Raghav Chadha or other leaders.

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: The scale of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) exits—seven members of Parliament at one go, with at least three joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) —may have taken everyone by surprise on Friday, but it was a chronicle of defections foretold.

The story, people familiar with the matter say, began in 2024 with two developments: preparations for the Delhi elections kicked off, and some AAP leaders were not happy with how their government in Punjab was functioning. All seven Rajya Sabha members from Punjab are from the AAP. Six of them were among the seven who quit the party on Friday. Punjab, which has an AAP government, goes to polls in early 2027. Read More

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Targeting Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, “Bhagwant Mann is only physically in the Aam Aadmi Party; his heart and mind have also reached Delhi,” reported ANI.

He further questioned the stability of the state government, claiming it had lost its majority. “Bhagwant Mann needs to prove his majority; according to me, the Punjab government is in a minority today,” he said, demanding a floor test.

Referring to earlier allegations of inducements to MLAs, Majithia said, “If this complaint is true, then take action. Was any action taken?” He added, “Today it's been proven...the whole thing is fishy.”

Calling for immediate action, the SAD leader said, “The Governor should immediately call a House meeting, and the government should prove its majority because a minority government cannot sell Punjab's interests.”

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party and the Punjab government after several of its Rajya Sabha MPs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Reacting to the development, Majithia said, “I want to congratulate Raghav Chadha and everyone else. Actually, everyone knew that all these MPs were going to join the BJP,” reported ANI.

He alleged that Punjab’s key concerns were consistently ignored by these leaders. “The sad part is that Punjab has suffered because for as long as these MPs have been in Delhi, they never talked about Punjab's water, Punjab's border areas, Punjab's farmers, Punjab's industry, Punjab's territorial issues, Punjab's capital Chandigarh, Punjab's university, or Bhakra-Beas Management,” he said.

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Social activist Anna Hazare on Friday weighed in on the exit of Raghav Chadha and six other Rajya Sabha MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party, saying the departures point to internal issues within the party.

Speaking to reporters in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra, Hazare said, “Everyone has the right to hold an opinion in a democracy. They (Chadha and others) must have faced some trouble, which is why they left.”

He added, “It is their (AAP leadership's) fault. Had that party followed the right way, they would not have left.”

Reiterating his view, Hazare said the leaders must have faced difficulties within the party, stressing, “Had the party gone in the right direction, they would not have quit the party.”

“There must be some or the other reason (for their leaving AAP). In a democracy, every person has a view about where to stay and leave,” he added.

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: The Aam Aadmi Party is set to initiate action against three of its Rajya Sabha MPs under the anti-defection law.

Sources said ND Gupta, the party’s chief whip in the Upper House, will write to the Chairman seeking action against Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal.

“The chief whip in the Upper House, ND Gupta, will submit a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman against Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal,” ANI sources said.

They added, “Gupta's letter will seek action as per the anti-defection law. These 3 leaders were seen in public joining the BJP. Rest four were not seen in the public domain, making that move. Hence, the chief whip will lodge the complaint against the three MPs seen in the BJP office.”

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Aam Aadmi Party, senior leader Manish Sisodia met party convenor Arvind Kejriwal late last night following the exit of seven MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party, reported ANI, citing sources.

Sisodia had just returned from Rajkot, where he was campaigning for the party in the Gujarat municipal elections. According to party sources, “After returning to Delhi late at night, Sisodia went straight from the airport to the residence of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The two leaders met for more than half an hour. During the meeting, they also discussed the possible impact of the split and what the future strategy should be.”

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Nitin Nabin on Friday welcomed a group of Rajya Sabha MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party after their exit from the Aam Aadmi Party.

Nabin met Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal at the BJP headquarters in Delhi following their joining.

In a post on X, he extended his wishes to all seven MPs, urging them to contribute towards the government’s long-term vision. “Welcomed Raghav Chadha Ji, Sandeep Pathak Ji, and Ashok Mittal Ji to the BJP family at the Party HQ today. Also, best wishes to Harbhajan Singh Ji, Swati Maliwal Ji, Vikram Sahney Ji, and Rajinder Gupta Ji to work under the dynamic leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji towards the goal of #ViksitBharat2047,” he wrote.

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: The National Democratic Alliance is set to see its strength in the Rajya Sabha rise following a split in the Aam Aadmi Party, with an MP claiming that a majority of its Upper House members are merging with the ruling bloc.

According to the claim, seven of AAP’s 10 Rajya Sabha MPs have conveyed to Chairman CP Radhakrishnan that they are joining the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance.

Sources aware of the development said that since two-thirds of the parliamentary party in the Rajya Sabha are backing the move—including deputy leader Ashok Mittal—the members may not attract disqualification under the anti-defection law, which allows a merger if supported by at least two-thirds of elected members. Read More

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: Announcing his exit from the Aam Aadmi Party, Raghav Chadha said the decision was driven by “conscience,” alleging that the party had strayed from its founding ideals.

Addressing a press conference, Chadha said, “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...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 and getting closer to the public.”

He also claimed that a majority of AAP’s Upper House MPs were backing the move. “There are 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha, more than 2/3rd of them are with us in this. They have signed, and this morning we submitted the signed letter and documents to the Rajya Sabha Chairman...three of them are here before you. Besides us, there are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal,” he added.

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Friday said he will move the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking disqualification of three MPs who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In a post on X, Singh said, “I will submit a letter to the Hon’ble Rajya Sabha Chairman, in which a demand will be made to declare Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, and Sandeep Pathak disqualified from Rajya Sabha membership for joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as this is tantamount to voluntarily relinquishing membership of their original party under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.”

• Swati Maliwal: A key public face of the party who later turned into one of its most vocal critics following a fallout with the leadership.
• Sandeep Kumar Pathak: A core strategist credited with shaping Punjab’s campaign, now among those breaking ranks.
• Harbhajan Singh: Former cricketer-turned-politician who had a limited role but remained a recognisable figure.
• Vikramjit Singh Sahney: Businessman and Rajya Sabha MP, seen as a peripheral yet influential presence.
• Ashok Kumar Mittal: Educationist and MP who rose within party ranks but faced scrutiny in recent months.
• Rajinder Gupta: A senior industrialist and Rajya Sabha MP with long-standing political and advisory experience.

Raghav Chadha BJP Merger LIVE: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party after its Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with several MPs.

Reacting to the development, Gupta said, "The AAP, which began with the slogan of revolution, is now meeting its end through distrust and alienation. In your party now, there is no common man left, only corrupt men remain."

She further targeted AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, adding, "Mr. Kejriwal, the departure of two-thirds of the Rajya Sabha MPs is a direct blow to your dictatorship. After Delhi, now it is Punjab's turn."

• Raghav Chadha and six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs announced their decision to merge with the BJP on Friday at a press conference.

• All 7 MPs will retain their Rajya Sabha membership. There are 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha and, according to Raghav Chadha, more than two-third of them are part of the decision — a figure needed for the MPs to retain their membership in the upper house.

• Apart from Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney and Swati Maliwal will also merge with the BJP. Chadha, Pathak and Mittal reached the BJP headquarters and joined the party earlier today.

• While announcing his decision to quit, Chadha said he had the Aam Aadmi Party “with my blood and sweat.” “...For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party,” Chadha said.

• Vikram Sahney, who also quit AAP, said he would now be able to “serve” the people of Punjab “with greater dedication.” “Punjab is not just a state—it is an emotion, a legacy, and a responsibility we all share. Today, that legacy is under strain," he said in a post on X.

• Maliwal also took to X, accusing AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal of deviation from the party's “principles, values, and resolve for honest politics.”