Published: April 25, 2026

In a tectonic shift for Indian politics, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has effectively lost its voice in the Rajya Sabha. On Friday, seven of the party’s ten members in the upper house announced their defection to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move, led by former party heavyweight Raghav Chadha, represents one of the most significant political realignments in recent years and has drawn sharp criticism from the party’s ideological forefather, Anna Hazare.

The "Two-Thirds" Coup

The defection was not merely a political exit but a calculated legal maneuver. Under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, individual legislators who switch parties face disqualification. However, by moving as a group of seven out of ten, the rebel faction met the two-thirds requirement necessary to merge with another party without losing their seats.

The group includes prominent figures who were once considered the "brains" of AAP:

• Raghav Chadha: Former Deputy Leader of AAP in Rajya Sabha.

• Sandeep Pathak: The party’s chief election strategist.

• Swati Maliwal: Former Delhi Commission for Women chief.

• Harbhajan Singh: Former cricketer and Punjab’s star representative.

• Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikram Sahney: Influential industrialists and educators.

Anna Hazare Breaks His Silence

Speaking from Ralegan Siddhi, veteran activist Anna Hazare expressed deep disappointment but placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the AAP leadership.

"It is their fault," Hazare told reporters. "Had that party followed the right path and stuck to its original principles, these members would not have left. While I do not support changing parties for selfish needs, the leadership must look within to see why their own house is falling apart."

Hazare’s comments highlight a long-standing grievance regarding AAP's perceived shift from a grassroots anti-corruption movement to a traditional political machine.

A Party in Crisis

The timing could not be worse for AAP. Following a disappointing performance in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, the loss of 70% of its Rajya Sabha strength leaves the party with only three members: Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta, and Balbir Singh Seechewal.

AAP leadership has reacted with fury, accusing the BJP of orchestrating "Operation Lotus" and using central agencies to intimidate their representatives. Chief Whip ND Gupta has already moved to seek their disqualification, arguing that the merger is a violation of the spirit of the mandate.

Why This Matters

This move is expected to have immediate consequences:

1. BJP’s Upper House Strength: The BJP moves closer to a comfortable majority in the Rajya Sabha, easing the path for contentious legislation.

2. Punjab Turmoil: With five of the defecting MPs hailing from Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann government faces a significant optics crisis ahead of future local polls.

3. National Credibility: For a party that branded itself as "alternative politics," the mass exodus of its intellectual elite raises questions about its long-term viability.

As the legal battle moves to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha’s office, one thing is clear: the political landscape of 2026 has been permanently altered.