New Delhi, India | April 25, 2026

AAP MPs join BJP in a major political setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as seven of its Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament defected and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The sudden development has triggered a political crisis within the party, prompting urgent discussions among top leaders.

Sisodia Meets Kejriwal to Discuss Crisis

Amid the unfolding political turmoil, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia met party convenor Arvind Kejriwal late Friday night at his residence in New Delhi. Sisodia had just returned from Rajkot, where he was actively campaigning for the party in the Gujarat municipal elections. According to sources within the party, the meeting lasted for over thirty minutes and focused on assessing the immediate political damage and planning the next course of action.

The discussion reportedly included evaluating the reasons behind the sudden defection, its potential impact on AAP’s image, and strategies to contain further fallout. Party insiders suggest that the leadership is keen on sending a strong message to both party workers and the public that the situation is under control and that decisive steps will be taken.

AAP Plans Legal Action Under Anti-Defection Law

Following the defection, the AAP has decided to take the legal route by approaching the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The party intends to seek the disqualification of the defecting MPs under the provisions of the anti-defection law, which is outlined in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.

Chief Whip ND Gupta is expected to submit a formal complaint against key leaders, including Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Kumar Mittal. According to party sources, these leaders were publicly seen associating with the BJP, which strengthens the party’s case for disqualification.

In addition, senior leader Sanjay Singh has also announced his intention to write to the chairman, urging strict action against those who have violated party discipline. The move indicates that AAP is determined to fight the issue both politically and legally.

Seven MPs Join BJP, Triggering Political Shockwaves

The leaders who have reportedly joined the BJP include Ashok Kumar Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Swati Maliwal, and Raghav Chadha. Their exit represents a significant blow to AAP’s presence in the Rajya Sabha and raises questions about internal unity within the party.

The development has also sparked wider political reactions, with analysts suggesting that such a large-scale defection could influence the balance of power in the Upper House. It also reflects the growing political competition between AAP and BJP, particularly in regions where both parties are actively expanding their influence.

Internal Rift Within AAP Comes to the Surface

The crisis did not emerge overnight but had been building over several weeks. Internal tensions became visible when Raghav Chadha was removed from the position of deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. This decision reportedly created dissatisfaction among a section of party leaders, eventually leading to open disagreements.

Several AAP leaders had publicly criticized Chadha, accusing him of being soft towards the BJP. The situation escalated further as more leaders began expressing their concerns, highlighting deeper issues within the party’s internal structure and decision-making process.

Political observers believe that the recent defections are a culmination of these unresolved conflicts, exposing cracks within the party that had been growing silently.

What Lies Ahead for AAP

As AAP navigates through this challenging phase, the coming days will be crucial in determining its political future. The party is expected to intensify its efforts to stabilize its leadership, rebuild trust among its members, and present a united front to the public.

The legal battle over the disqualification of defecting MPs will also play a key role in shaping the outcome of this crisis. If successful, it could help AAP regain some control over the situation. However, if the defections continue or legal action fails to deliver results, the party may face further setbacks.

For now, all eyes are on how Arvind Kejriwal and his leadership team respond to this unprecedented challenge and whether they can turn the crisis into an opportunity for political consolidation.

Also read: Kejriwal condemns firing on AAP candidate in Una, says Gujarat