The Secret Seven who left AAP high and dry

The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP was dealt a body blow on Friday after Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha announced that he would join the BJP. While the writing was on the wall when Chadha was removed as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha earlier this month, the shocker was his announcement that two-thirds of AAP MPs would merge with the BJP.

This effectively brings down the AAP's strength in the Rajya Sabha from 10 to just three (Sanjay Singh, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, and ND Gupta). Now, since two-thirds of AAP MPs are jumping ship, the anti-defection law is unlikely to come into play.

Chadha, once considered a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal, also hinted that there were more leaders in AAP who would join the BJP. However, for now, the focus is on the seven AAP MPs who are set to join the BJP. Interestingly, the list includes Ashok Mittal, who was appointed by the AAP as Chadha's replacement in the Rajya Sabha.

The seven MPs are - Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, Swati Maliwal and Rajendra Gupta. The dramatic political shake-up also comes as a major setback to the party ahead of the Punjab elections next year.

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