Raghav Chadha joins BJP Highlights: AAP to seek 3 rebel MPs' disqualification from Rajya Sabha

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, "...I want to commend the courage of all those people. Those who have merged with the BJP should now work openly. The BJP is a party where you can work for the development and welfare of the public..."

"Welcomed Raghav Chadha Ji, Sandeep Pathak Ji, and Ashok Mittal Ji to the BJP family at the Party HQ today. Also, best wishes to Harbhajan Singh Ji, Swati Maliwal Ji, Vikram Sahney Ji, and Rajinder Gupta Ji to work under the dynamic leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji towards the goal of #ViksitBharat2047," BJP national president Nitin Nabin posted on X.

AAP's Sanjay Singh said on X, “I will submit a letter to the Hon'ble Rajya Sabha Chairman, in which a demand will be made to declare Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, and Sandeep Pathak disqualified from Rajya Sabha membership for joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as this is tantamount to voluntarily relinquishing membership of their original party under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.”

Congress leader Mumtaz Patel says, "AAP was born as a 'B' team of the BJP to harm the Congress party...AAP has only helped the BJP wherever they contest the elections...Arvind Kejriwal may also join the BJP in the coming days..."

The Aam Aadmi Party on Friday termed the resignation of seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs a "betrayal of Punjab", accusing the BJP of engineering the split, and using fear of central agencies to poach its leaders.

The party said the people of Punjab would not forgive those who "stabbed the state in the back" after being elevated to Parliament.

In a post on X, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said, "The BJP has once again betrayed Punjabis."

"In a democracy, everyone has their own opinion. It is not right to suppress anyone’s views. People have different perspectives in a democracy, and some differences of opinion are natural. There may be some disagreements or differences in thinking, which is why some people may choose to leave...", says social activist Anna Hazare as Raghav Chadha and 6 other Rajya Sabha MPs quit AAP.

As Raghav Chadha and six other AAP MPs join the Bharatiya Janata Party, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring says, “I want to say that the Aam Aadmi Party should remain cautious. It should not happen that one day, even 50 of your MLAs switch sides. These MPs have moved after reaching Parliament; this was always a possibility when the party makes decisions in this manner, without clear criteria. When they were nominated to the Rajya Sabha, such an outcome was always likely."

"When there is no strong ideology, and people are chosen based on wealth, business background, or influence, and then support is sought from them in various ways, such situations are bound to arise. I am concerned that, in a similar manner, MLAs may also leave. Some may act out of fear, others due to dissatisfaction with the party. The fact is, many of them were never connected to any ideology in the first place,” Warring said.

SAD leader Bikram Majithia told ANI, "...We all knew that they would join the BJP...They never raised the issues of Punjab in the Parliament...Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's heart and mind are also in Delhi; he needs to prove his majority..."

Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal leave from the BJP headquarters after joining the party

On 2/3rd MPs of AAP in Rajya Sabha announce merging with the BJP, AAP leader Anurag Dhandha says, "...The nation saw the character of these leaders. They know that the AAP will come to power again under the leadership of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann...The people of Punjab will give them a befitting reply..."

AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had a one-line response to the bombshell Punjab Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha dropped Friday afternoon. "The BJP has once again betrayed Punjabis," the former Delhi Chief Minister said on X.

On 2/3rd MPs of AAP in the Rajya Sabha announced merging with the BJP, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj says, “...2/3rd MPs of AAP in the Rajya Sabha have left the AAP by rejecting the divisive politics of the AAP...AAP needs to self-introspect...”

Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal join the BJP in the presence of BJP national president Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters.

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha tweets, "Today, exercising the provisions of the Constitution of India, more than two-thirds of the AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha have merged with the BJP. Seven MPs have signed the document, which was submitted to the Hon’ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. I, along with two other MPs, personally handed over the signed documents"

BJP National President Nitin Nabin arrives at the party headquarters in Delhi, news agency ANI reported. Raghav Chadha said 2/3rd MPs of AAP in the Rajya Sabha will merge with the BJP.

On 2/3rd MPs of AAP in Rajya Sabha merging with the BJP, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, "BJP people will not be deterred from their actions. They are murdering democracy in this country. All agencies are under their control. Ashok Mittal was recently raided, BJP had troubled Raghav Chadha earlier. Other names were included in the liquor case. The entire country is watching this. Modi ji and Amit Shah have this delusion, but it will shatter soon. Entire country has understood that they do politics in the name of Hindutva but what did they do to strengthen Hindutva?...There is a washing machine place and everyone will be clean now..."

On 2/3rd MPs of AAP in Rajya Sabha announce merging with the BJP, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "...BJP has betrayed Punjab...The same washing machine was used at the party of Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress...BJP has no base in Punjab..."

Bhagwant Mann said, "...The seven MPs who are joining the BJP don't represent Punjab, they are traitors...They won't get anything in the BJP also..."

"The BJP finishes the party with which they ally...The people of Punjab support me wholeheartedly. They have a problem with the development of Punjab...," Bhagwant Mann said.