Anna Hazare Criticises Party Defections After Raghav Chadha’s Exit from AAP

A day after Raghav Chadha resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) along with six other Members of Parliament, veteran social activist Anna Hazare weighed in on the development, emphasising that while dissent is a fundamental aspect of democracy, switching political allegiance for personal gain is not justified.

“In a democracy, everyone has the right to hold an opinion. However, leaving one party and joining another for selfish reasons is not right,” Hazare said, underscoring the primacy of the Constitution. “Our country functions based on the Constitution, and it remains supreme.”

Hazare also pointed to internal shortcomings within the party as a possible factor behind the resignations. “It is the responsibility of the party leadership. Had the party followed the right path, such exits would not have occurred,” he remarked, suggesting that organisational issues may have contributed to the situation.

At the same time, he acknowledged that political departures often stem from underlying challenges. “They must have faced some difficulties, which is why they chose to leave. In a democracy, individuals have the freedom to decide where they wish to remain or move,” he added.

Chadha’s resignation follows a period of escalating tensions within AAP. Earlier this month, he was removed from his position as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, and the party reportedly requested the Chairman to deny him speaking time from its allotted quota—moves widely seen as indicative of a deepening internal rift.

Responding to these developments, Chadha described the actions against him as a “scripted campaign” and a “coordinated effort” in a series of video messages.

The latest developments also revive memories of the 2011 anti-corruption movement, during which Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal had worked closely together. Kejriwal, who later went on to found AAP, was a prominent figure in the protests led by Hazare in Delhi.

Chadha has since announced his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs. The move represents a significant split in AAP’s strength in the Upper House.

Citing alleged corruption within AAP as the primary reason for his departure, Chadha delivered a sharp critique of the party leadership. “I dedicated 15 years of my life to AAP. Today, the party has moved away from honest politics. It is no longer the same organisation, and I do not wish to be associated with practices I consider wrong,” he said during a press interaction.

The AAP leadership has strongly condemned the defections, describing them as a betrayal of public trust, particularly in Punjab, which Chadha currently represents in the Rajya Sabha.

As the political fallout continues, the episode highlights broader questions around party loyalty, internal governance, and the evolving dynamics of India’s political landscape.