- By Aditya Jha
- Sat, 25 Apr 2026 10:14 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
AAP Crisis: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday witnessed one of its most challenging days since its formation back in 2012. Seven out of its total 10 Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, and Swati Maliwal, decided to join the BJP. Their decision has changed the equation in the upper house and is expected to have its impact on the politics of Punjab. However, the party's biggest challenge would be to keep its MLAs intact in Delhi amid the political chaos.
As per the reports, the party could potentially lose five to seven MLAs, those close with the rebels, in the national capital in the upcoming days, reported the Indian Express, citing people familiar with the issue. While the Arvind Kejriwal-led party won 62 of the 70 seats in the 2020 Assembly election, it faced defeat in the 2025 polls and could only manage to win 22 seats.
A potential loss of seven legislators will leave the party with just 15 MLAs, limiting its capabilities as the principal opposition party in Delhi. However, at least 15 of the 22 MLAs will be required to switch sides to avoid the anti-defection law.
Along with Delhi, the BJP is also expected to utilise the popularity of Chadha, especially among the youth, to corner the AAP government in Punjab. "The BJP’s strategy appears to be clear: superimposing former AAP leaders on to Punjab in the run up to the polls (in 2027) to level allegations against the Bhagwant Mann government," a person familiar with the issue was quoted as saying by the publication.
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The AAP has described the latest political move as Operation Lotus, a term often used by the opposition parties, alleging the BJP of poaching their leaders. Raghav Chadha had accused the BJP of approaching the AAP leaders back in 2023.