AAP Seeks Disqualification of Raghav Chadha and Other MPs After Alleged Merger With BJP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has formally moved the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking the disqualification of seven MPs, including senior leader Raghav Chadha, after they reportedly quit the party and announced a merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The petition was submitted by AAP’s Rajya Sabha leader Sanjay Singh, who strongly condemned the move and alleged that it violates provisions of the anti-defection law.

AAP Calls Move “Violation of Mandate”

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Sanjay Singh said the decision by the MPs amounts to a betrayal of the public mandate under which they were elected to the Upper House.

He stated that the members were elected on AAP tickets and later chose to leave the party, which he argued makes them liable for disqualification under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

Singh also said the party had taken legal opinion, including inputs from senior Supreme Court lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, before submitting the petition.

Dispute Over “Two-Thirds Merger Clause”

The group led by Raghav Chadha has reportedly claimed that their decision meets the requirement of a two-thirds majority, which they argue makes the merger with another party legally valid under anti-defection rules.

However, AAP has rejected this claim, arguing that:

• The merger must be formally approved by the original political party
• No such decision has been taken by AAP
• Therefore, the defections cannot be treated as a legal merger

Who Are the MPs Involved?

According to reports, seven Rajya Sabha MPs have left AAP and aligned with the BJP. The group includes:

• Raghav Chadha
• Ashok Mittal
• Sandeep Pathak
• Harbhajan Singh
• Rajendra Gupta
• Vikram Sahni
• Swati Maliwal

Six of the seven MPs were elected from Punjab, making the political impact significant in the state.

AAP Calls It “Betrayal of Punjab”

Sanjay Singh described the move as a betrayal not only of the party but also of voters in Punjab, who elected the representatives under the AAP banner.

He urged the Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan to take an unbiased and swift decision on the disqualification plea.

Legal and Political Battle Expected

The case now hinges on interpretation of the anti-defection law, particularly:

• Whether the merger claim meets constitutional requirements
• Whether AAP’s consent is necessary for validity
• Whether the defecting MPs retain membership rights

Legal experts expect a detailed review before any final ruling by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.