Raghav Chadha Resigns from AAP, Takes Swati Maliwal and Harbhajan Singh to BJP
New Delhi, April 24, 2026 — In what is being described as the biggest political earthquake to hit the national capital in recent years, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha has officially resigned from the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The shockwave, however, did not stop at Chadha’s departure. The prominent youth leader announced that he is not making the switch alone, taking six other AAP Members of Parliament with him in a mass exodus that threatens to dismantle AAP’s representation in the Parliament.
Addressing the media shortly after tendering his resignation, Chadha dropped a political bombshell by naming the other prominent AAP leaders jumping ship. Among the seven MPs joining the saffron party are former Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal and former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. The defection of such high-profile figures, who were once considered the core pillars of Arvind Kejriwal’s inner circle, marks a devastating blow to the party’s morale and structural integrity.
When questioned about his sudden decision to abandon the party he helped build, Chadha launched a scathing attack on the AAP leadership. Citing severe ideological disillusionment and hinting at the various controversies surrounding the party top brass, Chadha stated, “Mai unke gunaah me shamil nahi reh sakta” (I cannot remain a partner in their sins). He elaborated that the party had completely strayed from its founding anti-corruption principles, making it impossible for him and his colleagues to defend the indefensible on national platforms.
The mass defection has triggered a furious response from AAP’s national convener and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal. Reacting to the sudden loss of his top parliamentarians, Kejriwal launched a direct attack on the ruling party at the Centre. In his first reaction to the media, a visibly frustrated Kejriwal stated, “BJP ne phir kiya,” accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of once again orchestrating an “Operation Lotus” to poach his leaders through a mix of intimidation by central agencies and political horse-trading.
Political analysts suggest that the departure of Chadha, Maliwal, and Singh—all highly visible and articulate defenders of AAP’s policies—will leave a massive leadership vacuum. As the BJP welcomes the new inductees with open arms, framing it as a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s developmental agenda, AAP is now forced into an emergency damage control mode to prevent further fractures within its ranks.
