Raghav Chadha alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party had developed a “toxic” environment and that corruption within the party had increased after his departure. He stated that the party had deviated from its original objectives and that several Members of Parliament had also left.
A political controversy emerged after Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, following his exit from the Aam Aadmi Party, made allegations against the party. He said the party had moved away from its founding principles and had come under the control of “a few corrupt and compromised individuals.”
In his first video statement released after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, Chadha said there was no longer freedom to work within the party. According to him, restrictions were being imposed on speaking and decision-making.
He also claimed that the party’s work environment had become “toxic” and that several leaders were working for personal gain.
Chadha further stated that if all leaders who had left the party were considered wrong, then it raised questions about whether everyone who had exited so far was also wrong. He noted that he had been among the founding members of the party and that the purpose with which it was established had now changed.
He said he had three options before leaving the party: to remain within it, to stay silent and accept the situation, or to leave. He stated that he chose the last option, which he believed was the correct decision.
Following recent political developments in the Rajya Sabha, reports of seven MPs joining the Bharatiya Janata Party have altered the political equations. The names reported to be part of this shift include Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Vikramjit Sahney, Harbhajan Singh, Dr. Sandeep Pathak, Swati Maliwal, and Rajinder Gupta.
After these changes, the number of Bharatiya Janata Party MPs in the Rajya Sabha is reported to have increased to 113.
The developments have also been accompanied by a controversy related to security arrangements. Ashok Mittal has been provided Y-category security by the central government, changes have been made to Harbhajan Singh’s security, and Raghav Chadha had earlier been granted Z+ security.
In Punjab, the developments have led to political reactions, with protests reported outside the residences of Aam Aadmi Party leaders and expressions of discontent at several locations. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sought a meeting with the President and has issued a political response on the matter.
A demand has also been raised for the Rajya Sabha Chairman to take a decision on the membership of the concerned MPs after being approached through a formal communication. The issue is now becoming part of formal parliamentary proceedings.
