Political Shift: AAP's Exodus Boosts BJP's Upper House Power

Seven Aam Aadmi Party MPs have merged with the BJP, reducing AAP's presence in Rajya Sabha to three members. This move boosts the BJP's strength to 113 in the Upper House. The transition raises constitutional concerns from AAP, challenging the merger's validity and seeking disqualification of defectors.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed a major political shift as seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs officially merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), significantly reducing AAP's presence in the upper chamber. This development, sanctioned by Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan, elevates the BJP's strength in the Upper House to 113 members.

The MPs involved in this transition include Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Sahney, Swati Maliwal, and Rajinder Gupta. As a result, out of the seven MPs representing Punjab in Rajya Sabha, six are now BJP members. The merger has stirred controversy, with AAP labeling it "unconstitutional" and moving to seek the disqualification of the defecting MPs.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed the move, highlighting the MPs' alignment with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Meanwhile, AAP officials argue the decision diverges from the party's principles, signaling their break from the "Tukde-Tukde INDI Alliance." The matter is poised to undergo further scrutiny as AAP files petitions challenging the developments.