Raghav Chadha (File photo) NEW DELHI: In 2022, when Raghav Chadha entered the Rajya Sabha as a newly elected AAP MP from Punjab, he raised concerns about how India’s anti-defection law was functioning in practice and had its an infirmities.Introducing a Private Member Bill, he argued that the law had failed to curb political switching and instead made it easier for legislators to change sides, calling it a “nefarious floor crossing by legislators in total disregard of the democratic wishes of the electorate who returned them”.He said he wanted to see “the prevention of horse-trading” of elected lawmakers, and argued that strengthening the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India would remove a “blot on our democracy”.“The law that was made to end the politics of defection, currently facilitates defection,” he said in the Rajya Sabha then.A key part of his proposal was to raise the threshold required for a group of MPs to defect without disqualification. Under the existing framework, the number is two-thirds of a party’s strength in the House. Chadha proposed increasing it to three-fourths.However, the proposal was never taken up for a vote.In a major political development, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Friday quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move comes days after an open rift with the AAP leadership.Announcing his decision at a press conference, Chadha said the party had strayed from its founding principles. “The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and to which I gave 15 years of my youth, has now completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals. The party is no longer working for the country or in the national interest, but for personal gain.”He added that his differences with the party had been building over time. “Many of you have been telling me this for the past few years, and I too have personally felt that I am the right man in the wrong party. I repeat, ‘I am the right man in the wrong party.’ Therefore, today I announce that I am distancing myself from the Aam Aadmi Party and going to the people.”Chadha said that along with him six other fellow Rajya Sabha members has quit the party and joined BJP, including Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta ,Vikram Sahni, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal.The Rajya Sabha member said that more than two-thirds of the party’s Upper House members have decided to merge with the BJP under constitutional provisions.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNDA Surges In Rajya Sabha After Chadha-Led AAP Exodus, BJP Nears Majority“Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Defends Exit From AAP In New Video“Bound To Happen”: Congress MLA’s Take On Trump Event ShootingArvind Kejriwal Shocks Court With Refusal To Appear In Excise Case“Hope Of Justice Shattered”: Kejriwal Skips Court, Sends Letter To Justice Swarana KantaAAP Workers Detained Outside Raghav Chadha’s House During Mumbai Protest“Fix Delhi And Pahalgam First” West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Launches Fierce Attack On BJP“TMC’s Time Is Over” Amit Shah Tears Into TMC Over Infiltrators During Bengal RallyPassport Row Escalates: Pawan Khera Approaches Supreme Court After Gauhati HC Rejects Bail PleaBJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi Attacks TMC, Raises RG Kar Case And Law And Order Concerns123PhotostoriesAamir Khan tears up at son Junaid Khan and Sai Pallavi’s ‘Ek Din Ki Mehfil’ event: 5 times the actor got emotional in publicSummer Special: How to make Kaache Aam ki Launji at homeOTT releases this week (April 27-May 3, 2026): ‘Glory’, ‘The Kerala Story 2, ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Aadu 3’ and more7 British vegetables that can grow in the balcony during this season‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Malamaal Weekly’, ‘Chup Chup Ke’: Priyadarshan’s comedy classics to watch on OTT‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, ‘Elvis’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’: Must-watch music biopics streaming on OTT platforms5 Indian beaches where visitors may witness turtle hatchings in April-May10 fruits that help bring triglycerides naturally and the 3 heart-healthy recipesMumbai Metro Line 6’s boldest move yet: 42-metre steel span placed over live tracksInside Deepti Sharma’s Agra house on ‘Deepti Sharma Marg’: A two-storey home filled with cricket memories, trophy-lined walls and strong family support123Hot PicksWest Bengal PollsPM ModiMamata BanerjeeRahul GandhiBengal RallyWest Bengal ElectionsMatua CommunityTop TrendingRussini Mike Photo ControversyTamil Nadu electionNFL Trade RumorsPetrol Diesel PriceAssam HS 12th ResultJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: In 2022, when Raghav Chadha entered the Rajya Sabha as a newly elected AAP MP from Punjab, he raised concerns about how India’s anti-defection law was functioning in practice and had its an infirmities.Introducing a Private Member Bill, he argued that the law had failed to curb political switching and instead made it easier for legislators to change sides, calling it a “nefarious floor crossing by legislators in total disregard of the democratic wishes of the electorate who returned them”.He said he wanted to see “the prevention of horse-trading” of elected lawmakers, and argued that strengthening the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India would remove a “blot on our democracy”.“The law that was made to end the politics of defection, currently facilitates defection,” he said in the Rajya Sabha then.A key part of his proposal was to raise the threshold required for a group of MPs to defect without disqualification. Under the existing framework, the number is two-thirds of a party’s strength in the House. Chadha proposed increasing it to three-fourths.However, the proposal was never taken up for a vote.In a major political development, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Friday quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move comes days after an open rift with the AAP leadership.Announcing his decision at a press conference, Chadha said the party had strayed from its founding principles. “The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and to which I gave 15 years of my youth, has now completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals. The party is no longer working for the country or in the national interest, but for personal gain.”He added that his differences with the party had been building over time. “Many of you have been telling me this for the past few years, and I too have personally felt that I am the right man in the wrong party. I repeat, ‘I am the right man in the wrong party.’ Therefore, today I announce that I am distancing myself from the Aam Aadmi Party and going to the people.”Chadha said that along with him six other fellow Rajya Sabha members has quit the party and joined BJP, including Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta ,Vikram Sahni, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal.The Rajya Sabha member said that more than two-thirds of the party’s Upper House members have decided to merge with the BJP under constitutional provisions.
