New Delhi: In a dramatic development that could reshape the political landscape ahead of key elections, Raghav Chadha on Friday claimed a major split within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), asserting that a group of seven Rajya Sabha MPs is set to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to Chadha, the MPs expected to join him include Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney, Swati Maliwal, along with Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal.

If confirmed, the move would mark one of the most significant internal ruptures in AAP since its formation, raising questions about the party’s unity and leadership at a crucial juncture.

The development comes as AAP prepares for upcoming electoral battles in Punjab, where the party is currently in power. A split of this scale could weaken its organizational strength and political messaging in the state, potentially altering voter sentiment.

Political analysts note that defections at the parliamentary level often have ripple effects on the ground, influencing party workers and regional leadership structures.

Chadha further suggested that the group’s move could bypass disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law if the merger meets the legal threshold. Under the provisions of the law, a merger is considered valid if at least two-thirds of the members of a legislative party agree to it—allowing them to avoid penalties typically associated with defection.

If seven Rajya Sabha MPs act together, the numbers could potentially meet this requirement, making the transition legally tenable.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the AAP leadership or the BJP regarding the alleged merger. The situation remains fluid, with political observers closely watching for formal announcements or denials.

Should the claims materialize, the episode could mark a turning point in national politics, intensifying competition between opposition parties and the ruling BJP ahead of future elections.