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New Delhi: A political storm that began on April 2, 2026, within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has escalated into a significant crisis in just 22 days. Raghav Chadha, the former Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, along with seven other MPs, has officially left the party. This announcement was made during a press conference by Raghav, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal.

All three MPs hail from Punjab. The necessary paperwork for their departure was completed in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Notably, speculations about a major shift began immediately after Raghav was removed from his position on April 2. He hinted at impending changes, stating, “Every lie will be exposed… because I am wounded, I am dangerous.” He openly challenged the party, asserting, “Do not mistake my silence for defeat.”

To understand the unfolding drama, it’s essential to note that while AAP did not officially clarify the reasons behind Raghav's removal on April 2, internal sources suggested that he had distanced himself from party activities and remained silent on critical issues. Reports indicated that the Rajya Sabha secretariat had even limited his speaking rights, further fueling internal conflicts.

On April 3, the day following his removal, Raghav took to social media to vehemently deny the allegations against him, labeling them as a coordinated smear campaign. He emphasized that he has consistently raised public issues in Parliament, stating, “I am here to pressure the government, not to create chaos.” In a dramatic tone, he reiterated, “Every lie will be exposed… because I am wounded, I am dangerous. Do not mistake my silence for defeat.”

Addressing accusations of not walking out of the House, Raghav refuted these claims as false and challenged the party to provide evidence. He pointed out that CCTV footage in Parliament could clarify the situation. He clarified that his focus in Parliament has always been on pressing issues such as GST, income tax, air pollution, water crisis, health, education, unemployment, and inflation.

In just 22 days, a significant political maneuver unfolded, leading to the departure of seven MPs from the party. Following the confrontation, Raghav Chadha strategically initiated a split within AAP. It is believed that he crafted this entire script with the support of Swati Maliwal, as both felt marginalized within the party. During a crucial press conference on Friday, Raghav announced their departure from AAP, claiming that over two-thirds of the party's ten Rajya Sabha MPs were aligning with them. He stated that they had submitted relevant documents to the Rajya Sabha. Furthermore, he revealed that he, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal would be merging with the BJP, along with other MPs.

Key figures involved include:
Raghav Chadha (Punjab)
Sandeep Pathak (Punjab)
Ashok Mittal (Punjab)
Harbhajan Singh (Punjab)
ND Gupta (Delhi)
Vikramjeet Singh Sahni (Punjab)
Swati Maliwal (Delhi)
What could be Swati Maliwal's potential role?
The political upheaval within AAP has created significant ripples in Indian politics. The decision of Raghav Chadha and seven MPs to join the BJP poses an existential threat to AAP. Analysts suggest that Swati Maliwal's involvement and her rivalry with Arvind Kejriwal could be pivotal. It is speculated that Maliwal may align with the dissenting MPs, as she had previously faced actions from the party, leading to considerable uproar. She has been vocal against the party leadership, particularly Kejriwal's close associates, since the Bibhav Kumar incident. It is believed that she may have laid the groundwork for dissent among other dissatisfied MPs like Raghav Chadha.