Tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) escalated sharply as party workers vandalised the residence of cricketer-turned-politician Harbhajan Singh, who is among seven Rajya Sabha MPs that recently switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Protesters reportedly defaced the property, writing “Gaddar” (traitor) on the walls, reflecting growing anger at the high-profile defections.
The incident comes amid a deepening political crisis in Punjab, following the exit of several senior AAP leaders from the Upper House. Those who have joined the BJP include Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Swati Maliwal, Rajinder Gupta, Ashok Mittal, and Vikram Sahney, alongside Harbhajan Singh.
In a significant political development, Raghav Chadha announced that nearly two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs had decided to merge with the BJP, invoking provisions under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. “We, constituting two-thirds of AAP’s members in the Rajya Sabha, have decided to merge with the BJP,” Chadha stated during a press conference.
The move represents a major setback for the party led by Arvind Kejriwal, which rose to prominence on an anti-corruption platform. Chadha, a chartered accountant by profession and a long-time associate of Kejriwal, has been a key figure in the party since its formative years, emerging as a national spokesperson and later serving as its treasurer at a relatively young age.
In his remarks, Chadha accused the AAP leadership of straying from its founding principles of transparency and clean governance. He argued that the party no longer reflected the ideals on which it was established, prompting his decision to exit.
By invoking the two-thirds merger provision, the defecting MPs are expected to retain their Rajya Sabha memberships, avoiding disqualification under anti-defection laws.
The developments have triggered strong reactions from AAP workers and leaders, highlighting the growing internal turmoil within the party as it navigates one of the most significant political challenges since its inception.
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