India
oi-Swastika Sruti
In a significant political development, Raghav Chadha, along with six other Members of Parliament, has quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs, including Raghav Chadha, have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing disillusionment with AAP’s leadership and direction, and criticising Arvind Kejriwal over the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ renovation controversy.
The move has created a major stir in Indian politics, especially as Chadha openly criticised AAP leadership and raised serious concerns about the party’s direction.
“No Scope Left in AAP,” Says Chadha
Speaking after his exit, Chadha said that many dedicated members of AAP are either leaving or planning to leave the party. He claimed that workers who once believed in the party’s vision now feel disappointed.
According to him, the decision to leave was not driven by fear but by “disappointment, disenchantment, and disgust.” He also alleged that the party is now in “corrupt and compromised hands,” making it difficult for committed leaders to continue.
VIDEO | Delhi: On quitting the AAP along with 6 other MPs, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha says, “Every person who nurtured the Aam Aadmi Party with their blood and sweat, and was associated with the party with a lot of hopes, has either left the party or is in the process of… pic.twitter.com/umGep7kQBG
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 25, 2026“>
Direct Attack on Arvind Kejriwal
Chadha launched a strong attack on AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, marking his first major criticism since joining the BJP.
He supported the BJP’s allegations regarding the controversial “Sheesh Mahal 2” and said the party must introspect. Chadha claimed that the controversy surrounding Kejriwal’s residence played a major role in AAP’s defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections.
What Is the “Sheesh Mahal” Controversy?
The “Sheesh Mahal” issue has been a key political flashpoint between AAP and BJP. The term was first used by BJP leaders to describe the renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence in Delhi.
Recently, BJP leaders, including Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, alleged that a new luxurious residence-dubbed “Sheesh Mahal 2”-has been developed at Lodhi Estate.
They claimed that high-end facilities were created using private funds, raising questions about transparency and spending.
BJP Shares Photos, AAP Rejects Claims
The BJP presented pictures of the alleged residence during a press conference to support its claims. However, AAP strongly denied the allegations.
Senior AAP leader Atishi dismissed the images as “fake and baseless.” She even stated that the pictures were taken from Pinterest and used to defame Kejriwal.
Her response highlighted the growing political war of words between the two parties.
Audit Report Adds Fuel to Controversy
The controversy around Kejriwal’s residence is not new. A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had earlier raised concerns about the cost of renovating his previous residence.
According to the report:
- Initial estimated cost: ₹7.91 crore
- Final expenditure: ₹33.66 crore
- Issues flagged: cost escalation, procedural lapses, and missing records
The BJP has used these findings to question AAP’s claims of clean governance.
Why Did Chadha and Other MPs Switch?
Chadha explained that the decision to merge with BJP was taken collectively by two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha members, as allowed under constitutional provisions.
Interestingly, Ashok Mittal-who was recently appointed to replace Chadha in a key Rajya Sabha role-was also among those who joined the BJP.
This mass exit signals deep internal issues within AAP and could impact its political strength in the coming months.
What This Means for Indian Politics
The exit of seven MPs at once is a major setback for AAP and could reshape political dynamics, especially in Delhi and at the national level.
With strong allegations, counter-claims, and ongoing controversies like “Sheesh Mahal,” the political battle between AAP and BJP is expected to intensify further.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on how AAP responds to internal dissent and whether this shift strengthens BJP’s position ahead of future elections.
