7 AAP MPs approved to merge with BJP: BJP MPs in Rajya Sabha increase from 106 to 113

• By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
• Apr 27, 2026
• 80

C. P. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, on Monday approved the merger of a group of rebel MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), significantly altering the party positions in the Upper House.

Following the decision, AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha has been reduced to just three members, while the BJP’s tally has risen from 106 to 113.

The MPs who shifted allegiance include Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjeet Sahni, Swati Maliwal, and Rajendra Gupta. Their names have also been updated as BJP members on the official Rajya Sabha website.

Earlier, AAP had urged the Chairman to disqualify the rebel MPs under the anti-defection law. Senior leader Sanjay Singh wrote to the Chair, accusing them of violating constitutional provisions and seeking their removal.

AAP also consulted legal experts, including Kapil Sibal and former Lok Sabha Secretary-General P. D. T. Achary. According to Sibal, under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, a merger requires approval by the party organization, and individual MPs cannot independently join another party.

The development follows a move by a larger group of AAP MPs who had earlier expressed dissent, alleging that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party had strayed from its founding principles.

Reacting to the shift, Raghav Chadha said he felt like “the right person in the wrong party” and decided to distance himself from AAP.

Meanwhile, Swati Maliwal made serious allegations against the party leadership, claiming mistreatment and accusing Kejriwal of being “anti-women.” She also alleged that she was assaulted at her residence and pressured to withdraw a police complaint.

The political development is expected to have major implications for party dynamics in the Rajya Sabha and could trigger further legal and political challenges.