. NEW DELHI: When AAP announced its Rajya Sabha nominees from Punjab in 2022, the spotlight was not on Lovely Professional University founder Ashok Mittal or cricketer Harbhajan Singh, but on the relatively unknown Sandeep Pathak. Having stayed away from public visibility since joining the party in 2016, Pathak’s low profile contrasted sharply with his growing influence within AAP’s core leadership.On Friday, as the defection of seven RS MPs to BJP shook the 14-year-old party, it was Pathak’s exit that caused the deepest concern internally. Watch Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalParty leaders said that while the departures of Raghav Chadha and Swati Maliwal — both estranged from the leadership — were anticipated, Pathak’s move was unexpected. “The ED raids at Ashok Mittal’s business establishments and home had prepared us for the eventuality of his departure. The other businessmen seem to have followed suit as a preemptive measure. The others, like Harbhajan, have not been very active within the party. Pathak is the outlier. He is not just another MP. He has been part of AAP’s core group since at least 2018,” a party functionary said.Four of the defectors — Mittal, Harbhajan, Vikram Sahney and Rajinder Gupta — had no engagement with AAP’s precursor, India Against Corruption or the party before it became a political force. Their nominations at the cost of those who were part of the anti-graft movement had sparked chatter, and many had pointed out that they were vulnerable to overtures from rivals.Appointed national general secretary in 2022 and part of AAP’s political affairs committee — the party’s highest decision-making body — Pathak was widely credited as a key strategist behind the party’s Punjab victory. His journey began at the Delhi Dialogue Commission with Ashish Khetan, later gaining Arvind Kejriwal’s trust through electoral survey work in Punjab and Gujarat. So close was he to Kejriwal that he was among the three people allowed to meet him in jail — the other two being Sunita Kejriwal and Bibhav Kumar,” a former party functionary said.AAP sources called Pathak’s pivot to the BJP a result of his father’s links with the party. “His father is a party functionary in Chhattisgarh. His roots are there,” sources said.About the AuthorMallica JoshiMallica Joshi is Chief Reporter, Metro. She has been writing on policy, politics, education and environment for 16 years.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123PhotostoriesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why does Aloo Bhujia stick to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looksThis everyday travel item often triggers airport bag checks — and you probably packed it123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: When AAP announced its Rajya Sabha nominees from Punjab in 2022, the spotlight was not on Lovely Professional University founder Ashok Mittal or cricketer Harbhajan Singh, but on the relatively unknown Sandeep Pathak. Having stayed away from public visibility since joining the party in 2016, Pathak’s low profile contrasted sharply with his growing influence within AAP’s core leadership.On Friday, as the defection of seven RS MPs to BJP shook the 14-year-old party, it was Pathak’s exit that caused the deepest concern internally.
Party leaders said that while the departures of Raghav Chadha and Swati Maliwal — both estranged from the leadership — were anticipated, Pathak’s move was unexpected. “The ED raids at Ashok Mittal’s business establishments and home had prepared us for the eventuality of his departure. The other businessmen seem to have followed suit as a preemptive measure. The others, like Harbhajan, have not been very active within the party. Pathak is the outlier. He is not just another MP. He has been part of AAP’s core group since at least 2018,” a party functionary said.Four of the defectors — Mittal, Harbhajan, Vikram Sahney and Rajinder Gupta — had no engagement with AAP’s precursor, India Against Corruption or the party before it became a political force. Their nominations at the cost of those who were part of the anti-graft movement had sparked chatter, and many had pointed out that they were vulnerable to overtures from rivals.Appointed national general secretary in 2022 and part of AAP’s political affairs committee — the party’s highest decision-making body — Pathak was widely credited as a key strategist behind the party’s Punjab victory. His journey began at the Delhi Dialogue Commission with Ashish Khetan, later gaining Arvind Kejriwal’s trust through electoral survey work in Punjab and Gujarat. So close was he to Kejriwal that he was among the three people allowed to meet him in jail — the other two being Sunita Kejriwal and Bibhav Kumar,” a former party functionary said.AAP sources called Pathak’s pivot to the BJP a result of his father’s links with the party. “His father is a party functionary in Chhattisgarh. His roots are there,” sources said.
