As AAP stares at 2027 polls, MP's split puts AAP Punjab under pressure

UPDATED: Apr 25, 2026 02:51 IST

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has suffered a major political setback months ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with senior leader Raghav Chadha quitting the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Chadha has claimed that six other Rajya Sabha MPs have also switched sides with him, dealing a serious blow to AAP’s strength in the Upper House.

The development has immediate parliamentary implications, reducing AAP’s tally in the Rajya Sabha and boosting the numbers of the ruling BJP-led NDA. More significantly, it comes at a crucial time when Punjab, the only state governed by AAP, is heading towards assembly polls in early 2027.

IMPACT ON PUNJAB POLITICS

AAP had swept the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections with 92 seats and later sent seven MPs to the Rajya Sabha, including Chadha, Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Sahney, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and Sanjeev Arora. Arora later resigned to join the Punjab cabinet and was replaced by Rajinder Gupta.

With most of these MPs now switching loyalties, barring Seechewal, the crisis has raised serious concerns over AAP’s internal stability and electoral prospects in Punjab. Political analysts warn that the split could dent the party’s image and demoralize its cadre at a critical juncture.

Political expert Kuldeep Singh termed the development “one of the biggest splits” in the party’s history, cautioning that AAP now faces the dual challenge of retaining its MLAs and rebuilding organisational confidence ahead of the elections.

LEADERSHIP REACTS

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed the rebellion, calling the defectors “gaddars” (traitors) who had “backstabbed Punjab.” He asserted that the leaders who left have “no mass base” and claimed the development would not impact the party’s electoral performance.

Mann also alleged a political conspiracy by the BJP, accusing it of attempting to gain a foothold in Punjab through defections rather than public support.

WHO SWITCHED

• Raghav Chadha: Once AAP’s key strategist in Punjab, he played a central role in the 2022 victory but reportedly fell out with the leadership after being sidelined.
• Harbhajan Singh: The former cricketer-turned-MP remained largely inactive in party affairs.
• Ashok Mittal: Businessman and educationist, who maintained a low profile and recently faced enforcement scrutiny.
• Rajinder Gupta: Industrialist and recent Rajya Sabha entrant with limited political activity.
• Sandeep Pathak: A key organisational strategist and mobiliser within the party.
• Vikramjit Sahney: Businessman and philanthropist known for social work initiatives.

OPPOSITION TAKES SWIPE

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the development exposed AAP’s lack of ideological foundation and warned that more defections could follow.

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that Chief Minister Mann himself could switch sides and demanded that the government prove its majority on the Assembly floor.

- Ends

Tune In