Raghav Chadha news LIVE updates: AAP to approach Vice President, seek disqualification of 7 MPs after BJP merger

# AAP Fights 7 MP Defection to BJP

**By Vikram Sharma, The National Desk** | **April 25, 2026**

In a seismic shift within Indian national politics, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has officially initiated proceedings to seek the disqualification of seven of its Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament following their sudden announcement to merge with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On Saturday, April 25, 2026, AAP’s top leadership confirmed they will approach Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to demand immediate action against the defectors. The breakaway faction, reportedly spearheaded by high-profile leaders including Raghav Chadha, Swati Maliwal, and Ashok Mittal, threatens to strip AAP of its parliamentary leverage while simultaneously triggering a complex constitutional battle over the nuances of the Anti-Defection Law. [Source: Hindustan Times | Additional: Parliamentary Records 2026].

## The Shockwave: A High-Profile Exodus

The political landscape in the national capital was upended early Saturday morning when reports emerged that a formidable chunk of AAP’s representation in the Upper House had pledged allegiance to the BJP. The inclusion of names like Raghav Chadha—long considered a close confidant of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal—and former Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal has sent shockwaves through the party’s rank and file.

For AAP, a party born out of an anti-corruption crusade, the optical and numerical loss is devastating. The seven MPs represent a massive loss of the party’s voice in the Rajya Sabha, where they have traditionally played a loud and disruptive role against the incumbent government’s policies. The breakaway group has claimed that their decision is legally protected as a “merger” under the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, arguing that they represent the necessary majority to avoid punitive disqualification.

According to sources close to the defecting MPs, the primary motivations cited include ideological disillusionment, disagreements over the party’s handling of recent regional alliances, and a desire to align with the central government’s developmental agenda. However, AAP stalwarts have dismissed these claims as veiled attempts to escape pressure from central investigative agencies. [Source: Hindustan Times LIVE updates].

## AAP’s Counter-Offensive Strategy

Refusing to take the defection lying down, AAP’s legal cell and remaining senior leadership have mobilized rapidly. The party’s official strategy hinges on petitioning Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to strike down the merger claim and disqualify the rebel parliamentarians immediately.

An AAP spokesperson addressed the media shortly after the news broke, stating: “This is a subversion of the democratic mandate. These MPs were elected on an AAP ticket, representing the faith of the people of Delhi and Punjab. They cannot simply hijack the mandate and carry it over to the BJP. We are presenting a watertight legal case to the Rajya Sabha Chairman to ensure they face disqualification.”

The AAP argues that while the defectors may claim to have the numbers within the parliamentary party, a true merger under the law requires the merger of the *original political party*, not just the legislative wing. AAP intends to demonstrate that the party organization, its state units, and its massive cadre base remain entirely intact and opposed to any amalgamation with the BJP.

## Decoding the Anti-Defection Law

The crux of this looming political showdown lies in the interpretation of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, commonly known as the Anti-Defection Law. Introduced in 1985 to curb the “Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram” culture of frequent political floor-crossing, the law mandates disqualification for any elected representative who voluntarily gives up the membership of their political party.

However, Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule provides an exemption for mergers. It stipulates that disqualification does not apply if an original political party merges with another party, and if at least two-thirds of the members of the legislative party agree to such a merger.

**The Parliamentary Math:**
* Prior to this crisis, AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha stood at 10 MPs.
* The defection of 7 MPs translates to 70% of the legislative party.
* This comfortably crosses the 66.6% (two-thirds) threshold required by the Constitution to validate a merger within the house.

Despite the mathematical advantage held by the Raghav Chadha-led faction, the legal battle will likely be fierce. AAP will lean heavily on past Supreme Court observations which suggest that the faction must prove that the parent political party itself has decided to merge, not just the elected legislators acting in isolation. [Source: Legal Precedents on Tenth Schedule | Knowledge Base].

## Expert Perspectives on the Constitutional Crisis

To understand the trajectory of this crisis, political and constitutional experts are already weighing in on the powers vested in the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The ultimate adjudicating authority under the Tenth Schedule is the presiding officer of the house—in this case, VP CP Radhakrishnan.

Dr. V.R. Kamat, a senior advocate and constitutional scholar based in New Delhi, explains the intricacies of the impending adjudication: “The Chairman’s role here is quasi-judicial. While the 7 MPs clearly possess the two-thirds majority required to invoke the Paragraph 4 exemption, the Chairman must evaluate AAP’s counter-petition. AAP will argue that a legislative party is merely a subset of the political party. If Arvind Kejriwal’s political outfit has not merged with the BJP, can seven MPs unilaterally declare a merger? This is the gray area of the Anti-Defection Law that has been exploited in states like Maharashtra and Goa, and is now playing out in the Upper House.”

Another political analyst, Dr. Seema Verma, points out the timeline implications: “Historically, disqualification petitions can languish for months, sometimes years, before the Speaker or Chairman. By the time a conclusive ruling is delivered, the political utility of the defecting MPs to the ruling party is usually fulfilled. AAP will push for an expedited hearing, but the administrative pacing lies entirely with Chairman Radhakrishnan.”

## Implications for AAP and Arvind Kejriwal

For Arvind Kejriwal, the timing of this rebellion could not be worse. The AAP has spent the last few years aggressively attempting to expand its national footprint, leaning heavily on its success in Punjab to elevate its status. The fact that the defecting faction includes MPs elected from both the Delhi and Punjab quotas indicates a deep, systemic fracture within the party’s higher echelons.

Raghav Chadha’s reported involvement is particularly damaging. As a highly visible, articulate defender of the party line and a crucial strategist during the Punjab assembly elections, his departure removes a foundational pillar from AAP’s modern architecture. Similarly, Swati Maliwal’s exit deprives the party of a prominent female voice and an established activist credential.

The crisis will undoubtedly force AAP to look inward. The party must now focus on preventing further attrition among its Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Delhi and Punjab. Politically, AAP will likely frame this as an attack on democracy, accusing the BJP of employing “Operation Lotus” tactics at the national level, a narrative they have utilized frequently to explain state-level defections.

## The BJP’s Rajya Sabha Calculus

From the perspective of the Bharatiya Janata Party, absorbing seven AAP MPs represents a masterstroke in parliamentary management. The Rajya Sabha has historically been a legislative bottleneck for the ruling party, where they have often relied on friendly regional parties (like the BJD or YSRCP) to push contentious bills through.

The induction of seven lawmakers not only boosts the BJP’s direct numerical strength in the Upper House but also actively neutralizes one of its most vociferous opposition blocks. If Vice President Radhakrishnan accepts the merger under the Tenth Schedule, these seven MPs will officially be seated with the treasury benches, granting the BJP unparalleled legislative ease in the remainder of the parliamentary term.

Furthermore, bringing in figures like Ashok Mittal—a prominent educationist and businessman—adds varied demographic and professional representation to the BJP ranks. It also serves as a psychological victory, demonstrating the BJP’s ability to attract core leadership from its fiercest ideological rivals.

## Conclusion: A Defining Constitutional Battle Ahead

The coming weeks will be critical for the Indian parliamentary system. AAP’s impending petition to Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan will set the stage for a high-stakes legal drama that may eventually spill over into the Supreme Court of India.

**Key Takeaways:**
* **Mathematical Safety vs. Constitutional Intent:** While the 7 MPs have the required two-thirds majority to claim a merger under the Tenth Schedule, AAP’s defense relies on proving the absence of a merger at the foundational party level.
* **Loss of AAP’s Vanguard:** The defection of Raghav Chadha, Swati Maliwal, and Ashok Mittal leaves a massive leadership vacuum in AAP’s parliamentary and strategic wings.
* **BJP’s Hegemony:** This event significantly strengthens the BJP’s position in the Rajya Sabha, smoothing the path for future legislative agendas.

As the political dust settles over the weekend, all eyes will be on Vice President Radhakrishnan’s office. How he navigates the interpretation of the Anti-Defection Law in this unprecedented Rajya Sabha exodus will not only dictate the fate of these seven parliamentarians but could also establish a new legal precedent for party splits in India’s parliamentary democracy.