Three AAP Politicians Join India's Ruling BJP Party

On April 24, 2026, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faced a significant political earthquake as seven of its ten Rajya Sabha members, led by Raghav Chadha, joined India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

This mass defection was legally executed under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which permits a merger if at least two-thirds of party members move together, allowing them to retain their parliamentary seats.

The party has been struggling lately, marked by the imprisonment of its top leadership, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, over corruption allegations.

As the AAP prepares for the critical 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, this loss of senior leadership creates substantial uncertainty for the party's future.

The development highlights the intense volatility and shifting alliances that frequently characterize the Indian political landscape.