AAP Suffers Major Setback as Seven Rajya Sabha MPs Quit to Join BJP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered a major political setback on Friday when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs quit the party to join the BJP. Those who left the party include Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikram Sahni, and Swati Maliwal. The development has weakened the AAP's position in Parliament and raised questions about the party's national future. The roots of the AAP's current crisis lie in the 2024 controversy when Swati Maliwal accused a close aide of then-Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of physically assaulting her at his residence. The case, which came to light on 13 May 2024, created a deep rift within the party, which widened over time. Earlier this month, the party removed Raghav Chadha as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. The decision further widened the distance between him and the party leadership. The chances of reconciliation seemed almost over after this. In a post, Swati Maliwal also alleged "uncontrollable incidents" and "uncontrollable harassment" of women in the party's leadership.