Raghav Chadha merges with BJP: A major political development unfolded across the country on Friday, as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha, as well as six other Rajya Sabha members, merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Chadha said that the move was carried out in accordance with the constitutional provisions requiring a two-thirds majority to avoid disqualification.
The announcement came at a press conference, where Chadha said that the group had already submitted signed documents to the Rajya Sabha chairman earlier in the day. Fellow MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal accompanied him, both of whom are also a part of the merger.
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AAP's former MP Raghav Chadha[/caption]
Chadha explains the math behind the move
Out of the 10 AAP MPs in the Upper House, Chadha claimed that more than the required 2/3rds (seven) members have backed the decision. In the list, Chadha, Pathak and Mittal have been joined by prominent faces like Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Vikram Sahney and Rajinder Gupta.
Raghav Chadha merges with BJP: Move comes after fallout within AAP
Notably, the announcement comes days after AAP snubbed Chadha as the Deputy Leader of AAP in the Rajya Sabha. Sources within the party had earlier cited concerns over his alleged failures to raise key issues against the ruling government and accusations of adopting a ‘soft’ stance.
Notably, he was succeeded by Ashok Mittal, adding an intriguing twist to the unfolding political shift.
“Right man in the wrong party”: Chadha slams AAP
While shedding the light on his decision, Chadha slammed AAP, saying that it had strayed from its founding principles. He said, “The party I dedicated 15 years of my life to has deviated from its core values. It no longer works in the interest of the nation. For years, I felt I was the right man in the wrong party.”
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AAP logo[/caption]
He further said that the move was aimed at reconnecting with the general public and aligning with what he described as a more nation-focused political direction.
Also read: “Three allegations, zero truth”: Raghav Chadha hits back at AAP in latest video as rift deepens