Raghav Chadha, a prominent Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), finds himself at the center of a political storm. Allegations have emerged that he struck a deal with Amit Shah, the current Union Home Minister, which has led to a significant political shift in Punjab. On April 24, 2026, seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), raising eyebrows and questions about loyalty within the party.
The AAP has accused the BJP of orchestrating this split—often referred to as “Operation Lotus”—to weaken their position in Punjab. Baltej Pannu, an AAP leader, claimed that Chadha was tasked with bringing these seven MPs into the BJP fold. He suggested that Chadha’s actions are part of a larger conspiracy against the party, stating, “He has been tasked with breaking the party by terrorising the MPs through ED and forcing them to sign on blank papers.” Such accusations indicate deep-seated mistrust within political ranks.
Chadha’s alleged betrayal did not go unnoticed. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, another AAP leader, expressed outrage, asserting that Chadha had “stabbed Punjab and the party in the back” by collaborating with Shah. The gravity of these claims cannot be understated; they suggest not just personal betrayal but also a calculated assault on AAP’s stability.
Interestingly, the defected MPs assert that they are not liable for disqualification due to their numbers—more than two-thirds of the AAP Parliamentary party in Rajya Sabha. This claim raises further questions about political maneuvering and legal interpretations within Indian politics.
Observers note that this incident could have far-reaching implications for both parties involved. The BJP’s current strength in the Rajya Sabha stands at 141 members following this defection, potentially altering legislative dynamics. Meanwhile, AAP faces an uphill battle to maintain its influence in Punjab.
As this situation unfolds, officials have yet to confirm whether further defections are imminent or if more MPs might align with Chadha’s alleged strategy. The political landscape remains fraught with uncertainties—will more leaders follow suit or rally behind AAP?
