- By Vaidika Thapa
- Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday reacted to the resignation of several Rajya Sabha MPs from the party including Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal. He said that the BJP has once again “betrayed” Punjabis after MPs announced their decision to merge with the saffron party.
Kejriwal Blames BJP
In a post on X, Kejriwal did not directly mention Raghav Chadha’s exit, but strongly criticised the BJP, holding it responsible for the recent political development. “The BJP has once again given Punjabis a shove,” he wrote. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also responded to the MPs joining the BJP, calling them “traitors.” He added that they would not gain anything even after joining the BJP.
बीजेपी ने फिर से पंजाबियों के साथ किया धक्का
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 24, 2026
"BJP has betrayed Punjab. The same washing machine was used at the party of Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress. BJP has no base in Punjab...The seven MPs who are joining the BJP don't represent Punjab, they are traitors...They won't get anything in the BJP also," Mann said.
#WATCH | Chandigarh | On 2/3rd MPs of AAP in Rajya Sabha announce merging with the BJP, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "...The seven MPs who are joining the BJP don't represent Punjab, they are traitors...They won't get anything in the BJP also..." pic.twitter.com/2FVufgqUyJ
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2026
ALSO READ: Who Are the 7 AAP MPs Joining BJP? Raghav Chadha Names Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh Among Others
Raghav Chadha Quits AAP
The move, which comes ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections, scheduled for 2027, is seen as a major blow to the AAP in the Upper House of Parliament. Raghav Chadha, along with Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, on Friday announced their decision to merge with the BJP. Chadha added that two-thirds of the AAP’s Rajya Sabha members will also join them.
Addressing the press conference, Chadha also revealed the reasons for distancing himself from party activities earlier. He stated that he did not want to be part of what he described as their “sins” and added that he was not eligible for their friendship as he was not involved in their “crime.” Chadha claimed he wanted to remain focused on public service rather than internal conflicts.
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