From replacement to rebel: Ashok Mittal follows Raghav Chadha in dramatic move from AAP to BJP

The move has drawn attention as Mittal, who had replaced Chadha in a key parliamentary role, is now aligned with him in a coordinated departure that signals a major shift within the party’s Rajya Sabha ranks.

Coordinated exit by AAP MPs

At a press conference, Chadha stated that a group of AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha had decided to merge with the BJP by invoking constitutional provisions.

He said that more than two-thirds of the party’s members in the Upper House supported the move.

Alongside Chadha and Mittal, Sandeep Pathak also appeared at the briefing, confirming his decision to join the BJP.

Chadha added that other MPs, including Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal, had extended support to the move.

Mittal’s switch after recent replacement

Mittal’s decision comes shortly after he was appointed as the party’s Rajya Sabha deputy leader, replacing Chadha.

His exit within weeks of the elevation has added a new dimension to the ongoing developments within the party.

A businessman and educationist, Mittal is associated with the Lovely Group and serves as Chancellor of Lovely Professional University.

His move marks one of the most notable departures from the party’s parliamentary leadership in recent months.

Reasons cited for exit

Explaining the decision, Chadha stated that the group faced a choice between stepping away from public life or continuing political work through a different platform.

He said the MPs chose to remain active in public service and cited concerns over the party’s direction as a key factor behind the decision.

Chadha also stated that he had distanced himself from party activities earlier, indicating differences that had developed over time.

AAP responds with allegations

The Aam Aadmi Party criticised the development, alleging that central agencies were being used to influence political shifts.

Senior leader Sanjay Singh claimed that investigative agencies were deployed as part of efforts to engineer defections, referring to what he described as “Operation Lotus”.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also raised concerns, pointing to recent enforcement actions against Mittal as part of the broader political context.

ED action and political context

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had recently conducted searches at premises linked to Mittal in Punjab and Haryana under the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

AAP leaders had earlier linked these actions to alleged political pressure, while the agency maintained that the searches were part of its investigation process.

Internal rift deepens in AAP

The developments highlight an ongoing churn within the party’s parliamentary ranks, with multiple leaders questioning its direction in recent months.

With the exit of several Rajya Sabha MPs, AAP faces a significant shift in its strength in the Upper House, marking a notable moment in its recent political trajectory.