The defection of seven Aam Aadmi Party MPs led byRaghav Chadhahas sharply altered the balance of power in the Rajya Sabha, delivering a significant boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party and dealing a major blow to AAP. With the Rajya Sabha Chairman approving the merger under provisions that allow a “two-thirds” split to avoid disqualification, BJP’s strength has risen from 106 to 113, while AAP’s tally has collapsed from 10 to just 3 members. The shift comes after seven of AAP’s 10 MPs invoked constitutional provisions to merge with the BJP, a move that has also strengthened the broader NDA bloc in the Upper House.
The merger has also insulated the defectors from anti-defection action, as crossing the two-thirds threshold qualifies as a legitimate split under the Constitution.
AAP, however, has challenged the move, petitioning the Rajya Sabha Chairman for disqualification of the defectors and accusing the BJP of engineering the split.
The dramatic split was preceded by an internal rift between Raghav Chadha and the AAP leadership. Once seen as a close confidant of Arvind Kejriwal and one of the party’s most prominent national faces, Chadha’s equation with the leadership had deteriorated over the past few months.
The flashpoint came earlier this month when he was abruptly removed as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha — a move widely seen as a sign of eroding trust. Reports also pointed to disagreements over political strategy, messaging, and Chadha’s perceived marginalisation within the party structure.
Chadha himself today cited a “toxic work environment” and restrictions on speaking and functioning as reasons for his exit, indicating deeper organisational friction.
For the BJP, however, the development strengthens its legislative position and brings it closer to key majority thresholds in the Upper House. A higher base of 113 strengthens its ability to push through legislation by narrowing the gap needed for a two-thirds majority and increasing the odds of securing support from smaller parties or fence-sitters.
In effect, while the numbers themselves do not guarantee passage, they significantly improve the BJP’s position to negotiate as compared to earlier.
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Diana George is Associate Editor at Times Now, with over a decade of experience covering national and international news, crime, and local politics. S...View More
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