The political landscape in Punjab and Delhi has been shaken by a seismic shift as seven high-profile Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha and legendary cricketer Harbhajan Singh, defected from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This mass exit has triggered a series of dramatic events, from street protests and “traitor” labels to a major security overhaul for the lawmakers involved.
From “Team Kejriwal” to “Saffron Faction”
The crisis for AAP began on Friday when Raghav Chadha, once a key strategist and the face of the party in the Upper House, announced his departure. He didn’t leave alone. Joining him were six other influential parliamentarians:
Harbhajan Singh (Cricketer-turned-politician)
Sandeep Pathak (IIT Professor and AAP’s former poll strategist)
Ashok Mittal (Founder of Lovely Professional University)
Rajinder Gupta (Trident Group Chairman)
Swati Maliwal (Former DCW Chief)
Vikramjit Sahney (Philanthropist and entrepreneur)
Chadha justified the move by claiming that AAP had “strayed from its principles, values, and core morals.” He framed the exit as a formal merger of a faction into the BJP, a move clearly designed to navigate the treacherous waters of the anti-defection law.
Security Tensions: Harbhajan Singh Under CRPF Cover
Following the announcement, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, reportedly moved swiftly to withdraw the state-provided security cover for the defecting leaders. Harbhajan Singh, whose residence in Jalandhar became a flashpoint for protests, saw his detail of 9–10 Punjab Police officers removed on Saturday.
However, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) intervened almost immediately. Recognizing the potential threat posed by escalating protests, the central government has now provided Harbhajan Singh with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security.
The Current Security Situation:
Harbhajan Singh: Now protected by CRPF commandos in both Delhi and Punjab.
The Incident: Protesters gathered outside his Jalandhar home, spray-painting the word “Gaddar” (Traitor) on the boundary walls.
Broader Impact: Similar protests and vandalism were reported outside the residences of Ashok Mittal and Rajinder Gupta.
The “Gaddar” Label and Political Fallout
The reaction from the AAP leadership has been one of betrayal and fury. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann did not mince words, labeling the seven leaders “gaddars” (traitors) for jumping ship.
The rift between Chadha and the party leadership had been simmering for weeks, particularly after Chadha was removed from his position as the Deputy Leader of AAP in the Rajya Sabha. What started as internal friction has now exploded into a full-blown constitutional battle.
The Legal War: Disqualification and the Anti-Defection Law
The Aam Aadmi Party is not letting the “Magnificent Seven” walk away without a fight. On Sunday, April 26, 2026, AAP MP Sanjay Singh officially moved a petition to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The petition seeks the immediate disqualification of all seven MPs.
“This is a clear case of defection,” Sanjay Singh stated during a press conference. “Changing parties after being elected on an AAP ticket is a betrayal of the voters’ mandate and a violation of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.”
The defecting MPs, however, claim they have merged as a distinct faction, hoping to use the “two-thirds” rule of the anti-defection law to protect their seats. Whether this legal maneuver holds up in the Rajya Sabha remains to be seen.
What’s Next for Punjab Politics?
This exodus marks a turning point for the BJP in Punjab, a state where it has struggled to find a strong footing independently. By absorbing these seven leaders, the BJP has not only weakened AAP’s presence in the Rajya Sabha but also gained significant faces with local influence.
For Harbhajan Singh and Raghav Chadha, the path ahead is fraught with challenges. While they now enjoy the protection of central commandos, they face a long legal battle and a public perception war in their home state.
Summary Table: The AAP to BJP Transition
| MP Name | Background | New Security Status |
| Harbhajan Singh | Former Cricketer | CRPF (Central) |
| Raghav Chadha | Former Deputy Leader | Central Security |
| Ashok Mittal | Educationist (LPU) | Local Protests Reported |
| Swati Maliwal | Social Activist | Under Central Protection |
| Sandeep Pathak | Poll Strategist | Legal Scrutiny |
The battle for the Rajya Sabha seats is just beginning, and with the “traitor” narrative gaining steam in Punjab, the political temperature is unlikely to drop anytime soon.