VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html FBI chief Kash Patel under scrutiny again over 2005 public urination arrest: Report Chin2 Bhosle: ‘Aai was once upset when I avoided being called Asha Bhosle’s grandson; she asked, ‘Are you ashamed of me?’ | Exclusive Washington Commanders strongly linked to $157M New England Patriots wide receiver Aries Horoscope Today, April 25, 2026: Buy for the home, but compare prices twice before paying today Statehood can’t be restore to oblige ‘prince’ Omar, says BJP; CM says J&K voters being punished | India News Trump says royal visit may help steady UK-US ties amid tensions Representative image JAMMU: A tribal nomad from Murrah Hill Kaka, who joined anti-insurgency operations in the then terrorism-infested Poonch district in J&K after quitting a job in Saudi Arabia to avenge his brother’s killing and earned respect in his area as “Hero of Hill Kaka”, has died of a heart attack at the age of 62.Tahir Fazal was known in his area for mobilising the tribal community against Pakistan-trained terrorists to reclaim his native Hill Kaka, which had become a stronghold of terrorists.Fazal, along with his other brother, returned from Saudi Arabia on June 26, 2002, after their brother was killed by terrorists.After getting arms training, Fazal joined the anti-insurgency operations and avenged his brother’s death by eliminating militant Abu Kasiv. Soon, he would become a veteran of many “kills”.In 2019, Fazal had written to the then Union home minister Rajnath Singh, asking his community a chance to deal with terrorists in Shopian and Anantnag.Paying tribute to a veteran, the Army’s White Knight Corps posted on X, “A Brave Heart laid to Rest — With deep sorrow and immense gratitude, #IndianArmy bid a solemn farewell to Tahis Fazal, a valiant son of the soil who stood shoulder to shoulder with his own troops during Op Sarpvinash in 2003.”Fazal passed away on April 22 in Uttarakhand.Meanwhile, J&K minister Javed Ahmed Rana has condoled veteran Fazal’s death, describing him as an “unsung warrior”.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 do aloo bhujia sticks 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 Health data of 500,000 UK volunteers listed for sale on Chinese platform, alarm raised | World News ​ SRINAGAR: J&K authorities announced Friday detentions of six people under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly inciting “law and order disturbances” and “acts of vandalism” during a recent students’ protest in Kashmir’s Sopore.The students were protesting against a schoolteacher accused of molestation and later taken into custody.Police said Umar Akbar Hajam, Salman Ahmed Shala, Altaf Ahmed Sheikh, Mubashir Ahmed Gilkar, Muzammil Mushtaq Changa, and Majid Firdous Dar were detained after authorisation from the district magistrate, as required under PSA. They have been jailed in Jammu’s Doda.All hail from Sopore, the police said, adding none is a student. “These miscreants were involved in attempting to disturb peace during a recent protest by students. Their activities posed a serious threat to public order and safety,” a police statement said, adding more individuals involved in the April 13 trouble are being identified for prosecution, including under PSA.In a warning to the public, the police asked them to “stay away from unlawful activities and not to fall prey to instigation by anti-social elements”.The police have not mentioned the specific PSA clause under which the six have been booked. The law allows detentions for six months without trial if an accused is a threat to the security of the State, with extensions of six months. Under a PSA clause on threat to public order, preventive detentions are allowed up to three months, with extensions of three months.Earlier, PSA allowed detentions without trials up to two years. But an amendment during a previous stint of J&K CM Omar Abdullah in 2011 reduced the detention period to six months from two years for threat to security of the State and from one year to three months for threat to public order.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 do aloo bhujia sticks to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousWhat makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin TendulkarAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? 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All you need to know Horoscope Today: Daily astrological predictions for April 25, 2026 Indian-origin couple bags $5 million after selling lottery-won luxury home in Perth: ‘I came to Australia…’ . SRINAGAR: J&K administration’s move to remove Urdu, previously a mandatory qualification for revenue services, from the newly amended draft recruitment rules has sparked a political row in the Union Territory. The decision comes nearly a year after BJP protested and sought revocation of a govt order that made Urdu a compulsory subject for the naib tehsildar recruitment exam in J&K.PDP termed it a deliberate attempt to sideline and erase Urdu from the region’s administrative framework, even as BJP called it a “course correction”, insisting that any of the five official languages in J&K should be made a criterion for qualifying for revenue services.For generations, Urdu been the backbone of revenue records, land documentation, and official communication in the UT, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said. “Diluting its role is not only culturally insensitive but also administratively unsound. Removing Urdu from revenue services will create practical challenges in handling existing records and weaken the continuity of governance,” she said, adding that PDP views this decision as part of a broader pattern of undermining the linguistic and cultural identity of J&K.“Urdu has not been removed. It has been removed as the sole mandatory language for qualification,” BJP general secretary Ashok Koul said, adding that since J&K has five official languages, candidates should have knowledge of any one to qualify, and land records should be made available in all official languages.The row began after the revenue department on April 10 issued a draft of Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Service Recruitment Rules for non-gazetted posts, inviting objections within 15 days of the notification. According to the draft, the minimum qualification for direct recruitment has been kept as “graduation from any university”. Earlier, along with graduation, the knowledge of Urdu was a necessary criterion for recruitment.National Conference has not commented on the issue.Urdu has a long association with J&K. In 1889, Maharaja Pratap Singh, the third ruler of Dogra dynasty, replaced Persian with Urdu as the court language in the region. After 1947, the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir recognised Urdu as a link language of the erstwhile J&K state, which included Ladakh, and retained it as an official language.Over time, English gradually replaced Urdu in official communication, particularly after the extension of central services to the region in 1962. As IAS and IPS officers were posted in J&K, English increasingly became the preferred administrative language.This arrangement remained in place until Sept 2, 2020, when the Union Cabinet approved the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020, declaring Urdu, Hindi, Kashmiri, Dogri and English as official languages of the region. The bill was later passed by voice vote in Rajya Sabha, effectively ending Urdu’s 131-year status as the sole official language in J&K. Experts say apart from J&K, no other region in the country has five official languages in use.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 do aloo bhujia sticks 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 Hunter becomes the hunted: Five elephants crush 75-year-old millionaire trophy hunter to death during hunt One hundred not enough: Sai Sudharsan watches Virat Kohli take over Chinnaswamy as RCB beat GT by five wickets Akshay Kumar daughter Nitara cyber harassment case: Maharashtra Cyber arrests accused; ‘She was very brave and informed her parents’ The queen of sarees: Nita Ambani owns the global stage at TIME100 Gala, no gown needed | Mercedes-Benz CLA EV launched at Rs 55 lakh: Range, top variant pricing Peace talks back on? Trump sending envoys to Pakistan to meet Iran FM; Vance on standby IPL 2026: Virat Kohli becomes third batter after Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma to … US court blocks Trump order suspending asylum access, cites right to apply Italian Job: Could Pep Guardiola be next Italy boss after World Cup disaster? Big reset being discussed | International Sports News Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha with Nitin Nabin and others (Image/ANI) NEW DELHI: The exit of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha along with six other members has significantly altered the composition of the Upper House, strengthening the ruling BJP-led NDA while sharply reducing the Aam Aadmi Party’s presence. The move has also hit the opposition camp, whose strength has dropped from 84 to 77 members after the AAP split.The BJP’s tally in the Rajya Sabha has risen from 106 to 113 following the merger of the breakaway AAP MPs, further consolidating its position in the House. The Upper House has a total strength of 245 members.In contrast, the AAP’s strength has dropped sharply from 10 to just three members.The development comes after Chadha, along with fellow MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, announced their exit from AAP and decision to join the BJP, triggering a broader split within the party. MPs including Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahney are also part of the group that backed the move.Announcing the decision, Chadha had sharply criticised his former party. “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 said.He also stated that the split had the backing of a majority of AAP’s MPs in the Upper House. “We have decided that we, the two-thirds members belonging to the AAP in the Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP,” Chadha said.NDA gains, BJP strengthens positionWith the addition of seven MPs, the BJP has further consolidated its position in the Rajya Sabha with 113 members.The broader National Democratic Alliance (NDA) continues to hold a comfortable edge, with allies such as the Janata Dal (United) with four members and the AIADMK with five backing the coalition.AAP reduced to just three MPsFor the AAP, the split has resulted in a dramatic fall in its parliamentary strength. The party is now left with just three MPs: Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta and Balbir Singh Seechewal.Sanjay Singh, who remains the party’s most vocal face in Parliament, has strongly criticised the defectors, accusing the BJP of orchestrating the split. He alleged that central agencies were being used as part of a larger political strategy and termed the departing MPs as ‘traitors.’“Operation Lotus is being executed on the Punjab government… ED and CBI are being used to carry out this Operation Lotus… The people of Punjab will never forget these traitors,” he said.Impact on Opposition blocThe shift has also impacted the opposition camp, of which AAP is a part. The bloc’s combined strength in the Rajya Sabha has now come down to 77 members, from 84 earlier following the exit of seven MPs.The bloc is led by Congress (29 members), followed by Trinamool Congress (13) and DMK (8), along with parties such as Samajwadi Party (4), CPI(M) (3), RJD (3), J&K National Conference (3), CPI (2), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (2), IUML (2), NCP (4) and AAP (3).A political turning pointThe developments mark a major political turning point for AAP, which had steadily built its presence in the Rajya Sabha over recent years. The sudden loss of two-thirds of its MPs not only impacts its numerical strength but also raises questions about internal cohesion within the party.For the BJP, the gains further strengthen its standing in the Upper House, giving it greater room to push its legislative agenda with reduced reliance on external support.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 MediaVideosWhy 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 AssemblyTamil Nadu Polls See Surge in First-Time Voters, Youth Drive Record TurnoutBJP Declares Yogi Adityanath as CM Face for 2027 UP Assembly Elections123PhotostoriesWhat makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin TendulkarAre 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 it5 game-changing rituals that can save your relationshipVitamin B12 deficiency is more common than you think: Foods you need in your daily diet123Hot 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 Updated: Apr 24, 2026, 22:58 IST Elon Musk and Sam Altman’s ‘fight’ heads to court on April 27: Key points to know Apr 24, 2026, 22:21 IST NEW DELHI: The Arvind Kejriwal-led party on Friday suffered one of its biggest internal jolts, as Raghav Chadha, once its rising star and Kejriwal’s blue-eyed boy, led a massive Rajya Sabha exodus to the Bharatiya Janata Party.The murmurs of dissent from Raghav Chadha exploded into a full-blown rebellion. Chadha didn’t just walk away, he took with him a large chunk of AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha, dragging the party into one of the gravest crises since its birth in 2012.The “ghayal” Raghav Chadha rebellion has left the AAP “ghayal.”The cracks, long hidden beneath the surface, burst into the open after Chadha was removed as deputy leader in the Upper House, a post handed to Ashok Mittal, who has now also joined the revolt. The fastest-growing political startup, which formed three consecutive governments in Delhi, including two with historic mandates, and later swept to power in Punjab within just 15 years of its formation, is now facing internal dissent. Its own leaders are openly questioning “Kejriwal’s brand of politics” and accusing it of drifting away from “honest politics” in a tone of rebellion.What lies next for AAP?Faces of the rebellionThe exodus features several high-profile names, including Swati Maliwal, who had already drifted away from the party after alleging a physical assault by Bibhav Kumar at then-chief minister Kejriwal’s official residence in 2024.Joining the breakaway group are cricketer-turned-Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, along with Sandeep Pathak, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikramjit Singh Sahney, names that add weight and visibility to the rebellion. Standing before the media, Chadha delivered a stinging parting shot, calling himself the “right man in the wrong party,” before formally crossing over to the BJP at its headquarters in New Delhi.Numbers that shake the partyBut the real blow lies in the numbers. In a stunning show of strength, six other AAP MPs, taking the tally to seven out of the party’s total 10 in the Rajya Sabha, have sided with Chadha. For AAP, this is not just a rebellion; it is a near-decimation of its presence in the Upper House.Announcing the move, Chadha said two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs had decided to merge with the BJP.”We have decided that we, the 2/3rd members belonging to the AAP in Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP,” he said at a press conference alongside Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal at the Constitution Club.Explaining his decision, Chadha accused the party of straying from its founding ideals.”The AAP, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat, and gave 15 years of my youth to, has deviated from its principles, values and core morals. Now this party does not work in the interest of the nation but for its personal benefits…For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party. So, today, we announce that I am distancing myself from the AAP and getting close to the public,” he said. Meanwhile, Kejriwal reacted immediately, suggesting the move was orchestrated by the BJP, and said, “The BJP has betrayed Punjabis again.”From anti-corruption crusade to internal revoltThe irony is hard to miss. A party born out of Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, which once promised to upend “traditional” politics with a model of “new politics,” now finds itself accused by its own leaders of abandoning those very ideals.The outsider that challenged the system is now battling a revolt from within, one that threatens to shake its very foundations.Delhi defeat: the turning pointNot very long ago, the Delhi debacle struck the Kejriwal brigade at the hands of the BJP, majorly denting AAP’s national standing and influence.Reduced to governing only Punjab under chief minister Bhagwant Mann and with a limited presence in Parliament, AAP was already on the back foot. Friday’s rebellion has further eroded its strength in the Rajya Sabha, deepening the crisis.In 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AAP secured just 3 seats in Punjab. Now with the revised Rajya Sabha tally, AAP is left with total 6 MPs to voice its concerns in Parliament.From meteoric rise to political slideThe twin blows of 2025 and 2026, first the Delhi defeat and now this major exodus, have pushed AAP into what could be its most vulnerable phase yet.Emerging from an anti-corruption wave, AAP positioned itself as a disruptor, challenging the Congress establishment at the Centre under Manmohan Singh and in Delhi under long-time chief minister Sheila Dikshit.In its first electoral battle, AAP stunned the political class. Kejriwal unseated Sheila Dikshit, ending her 15-year rule and defeating her in the New Delhi constituency. What followed was a meteoric rise — 67 out of 70 seats in 2015 and 62 in 2020.But by 2025, the tide had turned. The BJP stormed back into Delhi after over two-decades of dry, slashing AAP’s tally dangerously to 22 seats and appointing Rekha Gupta as the chief minister.Controversies and cracks withinAnnouncing his exit, Chadha perfectly set himself in the BJP’s narrative to target his former boss Kejriwal, accusing AAP of prioritising “personal benefits” over “national interest.” His departure, and the scale of support behind him, has amplified those charges.Over the years, AAP’s top leadership, including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain, faced scrutiny from agencies like the ED and CBI. Jail terms and investigations, even as some cases later weakened in court, dented the party’s anti-corruption image.Interestingly, Chadha largely stayed away from these controversies. Even during Kejriwal’s time in jail and subsequent relief, he maintained a noticeable distance—fueling speculation of a widening internal rift.After the exit of Raghav Chadha and other rebel MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party, party’s leader in Rajya Sabha Sanjay Singh led the charge and mounted a fierce attack on the BJP, alleging a coordinated effort to weaken and destabilise the party through central agencies such as the ED and CBI. Responding strongly to the developments, Singh said, “Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah have begun their ‘Operation Lotus’ to stop the good work of Punjab’s Bhagwant Mann Government. 7 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs are joining the BJP. The people of Punjab should remember these 7 names. These ‘traitors’ of Punjab would never be forgiven by the people.”Punjab: The next battlegroundThe focus now shifts to Punjab.Chadha played a key role in AAP’s 2022 build-up to landslide victory, helping the party leap from 20 seats in 2017 to 92 out of 117. The victory ousted the Congress government led by Charanjit Singh Channi and established AAP’s second full-fledged government after Delhi. Now, with Chadha and several Punjab-linked MPs exiting, cracks may begin to show.Meanwhile, chief minister and Kejriwal loyalist Bhagwant Mann has hit back strongly, calling the departing leaders “traitors” and dismissing their prospects in the BJP. He also accused the BJP of attempting to expand its footprint in Punjab through defections.Yet, the political equations are shifting. With Congress still the principal opposition and the BJP now bolstered by former AAP faces, the contest could intensify.There is a certain political irony at play.Just as AAP once rose by dislodging Congress, from Delhi in 2013 to Punjab in 2022, the BJP has now toppled AAP in Delhi.The question now lingers: is Punjab next for the BJP?About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhy 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 AssemblyTamil Nadu Polls See Surge in First-Time Voters, Youth Drive Record TurnoutBJP Declares Yogi Adityanath as CM Face for 2027 UP Assembly Elections123PhotostoriesWhat makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin TendulkarAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? 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Explained Florida woman drives pickup truck over Lamborghini in parking lot in viral video: ‘Insurance company fuming’ Apr 24, 2026, 21:18 IST From apps to arms: Sankaet Pathak and Silicon Valley’s patriotic pivot How to apply for govt jobs: See latest jobs in April 2026; 10th and 12th pass jobs, graduate vacancies ‘Jana Nayagan’ leak: Editor Pradeep E Raghav suspended by SIFEA over alleged violation of rules What makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin Tendulkar Lucknow gurukul horror: Boy sent for free Vedic education dies; 40+ injuries, including 11 cigarette burns found on body NEW DELHI: Just days before delivering his biggest political move yet, Raghav Chadha struck a cinematic note, invoking a Bollywood line from Dhurandhar: “ghayal hoon, isliye ghatak hoon” (I am wounded, therefore I am dangerous).In hindsight, the dialogue and its metaphor now read very differently. The “wounded” leader Raghav Chadha has not just walked away from Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP — he has crossed the political ‘border’ by joining the BJP. And in doing so, he may have inflicted the deepest wound yet on the AAP, proving to be the real lethal force for the party. More than a high-profile defection, Chadha’s move, along with a clutch of Rajya Sabha members, strikes at the party’s numbers, narrative, and national positioning. For AAP, the aftershocks are likely to be felt most sharply in Punjab, the only state where it holds full power and the foundation of its national ambitions. For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party.- Raghav ChadhaHere are 5 reasons why Raghav Chadha’s exit may hit AAP where it hurts the most:1. Cost of this breakup in numbersThe exit of Raghav Chadha from the AAP is not just a political setback for the party; it delivers a sharp blow in pure numerical terms in Parliament.Raghav Chadha exited the party along with 6 other Rajya Sabha members. AAP’s strength has effectively shrunk from 10 MPs to just 3, following the reported shift of seven members. “We have decided that we, the 2/3rd members belonging to the AAP in Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP,” Raghav Chadha said at a press conference, with Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal on stage.”There are 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha, more than 2/3rd of them are with us in this. They have signed, and this morning we submitted the signed letter and documents to the Rajya Sabha Chairman…three of them are here before you. Besides us, there are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal,” he said.Crossing the two-thirds mark allows the group to qualify as a merger under anti-defection rules, meaning the loss is both instant and irreversible. For AAP, that translates into a 70% drop in Upper House strength, severely limiting its ability to intervene in debates, secure committee positions, and shape national discourse.The setback is amplified by the fact that AAP’s Rajya Sabha presence is largely rooted in Punjab — its only full-state power base. A weakened parliamentary bench reduces the party’s ability to project Punjab’s interests at the national level, even as it continues to govern the state.2. ‘New politics’ brand takes credibility hitWhile severing ties with the AAP, Raghav Chadha said: “The AAP, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat, and gave 15 years of my youth to, has deviated from its principles, values and core morals. Now this party does not work in the interest of the nation but for its personal benefits … For the past few years, I could feel that I am the right man in the wrong party. So, today, we announce that I am distancing myself from the AAP and getting close to the public.”Since its inception in 2012 after the Anna Hazare movement, AAP’s political strength has long rested on its ability to differentiate itself from traditional parties through a reformist, anti-establishment narrative.Raghav Chadha’s exit complicates that positioning.By alleging that the party now works for “personal benefits” rather than the national interest, he can change the discourse in the coming months from promise to performance.The whole controversy around the liquor scam proved to be fatal for AAP in the 2025 assembly elections.Chadha’s switch may also alter how voters interpret AAP’s governance and intent in the upcoming Punjab elections.Earlier in the month, in a cryptic post, Chadha had said: “Never outshine the master,” suggesting that his rising national profile and perceived independence had made him a target within his own party.If he had gone to the BJP alone, the AAP leadership would have been able to put the entire blame on his loyalty. The breakaway of 7 Rajya Sabha members together will at least raise a doubt in Kejriwal’s leadership in the party. The leadership of the party has, however, has blamed it on the BJP, alleging the saffron party conduction ‘operation lotus’ the divide the AAP.3. AAP’s internal churnThe exit of Raghav Chadha and six other MPs underscores a deeper pattern within the party — one of recurring internal ruptures that date back to its very origins. Born out of the India Against Corruption movement in 2012, AAP itself emerged from a split, with Anna Hazare and Kiran Bedi opposing the shift to electoral politics.Over the years, the party has seen the steady exit of key figures, from early architects like Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan to prominent faces such as Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh and Alka Lamba. Just before last Delhi assembly elections, rift between AAP leadership and Swati Maliwal was also out in open. Maliwal also joined Chadha on Friday in quitting the party to join the BJP.What makes the Raghav Chadha episode different is its scale and timing. The simultaneous exit of multiple sitting Rajya Sabha MPs marks one of the most significant setbacks at the parliamentary level. 4. Architect of Punjab victory exits the stageWhile Raghav Chadha’s exit carries symbolic weight, the simultaneous departure of Sandeep Pathak may prove more consequential in structural terms. Widely seen as the architect behind AAP’s Punjab victory, Pathak brought a data-driven, booth-level precision to the party’s campaign machinery. His approach helped AAP convert roughly 42% vote share into a landslide majority of 92 seats of 117 in the 2022 assembly elections, a remarkable strike rate in a multi-cornered contest.Now, at a time when the Bhagwant Mann government is entering a crucial last-leg phase, with the assembly elections to be held next year, the absence of that strategic anchor could create a vacuum.5. National positioning takes a hitThe fallout from Raghav Chadha’s exit extends beyond Punjab into AAP’s standing in national opposition politics. Within the INDIA bloc, the Aam Aadmi Party has positioned itself as a distinct force — often balancing cooperation with competition, especially with the Congress.That positioning now weakens after Chadha’s exit.With its Rajya Sabha strength dropping sharply from 10 to 3, AAP’s ability to project itself as a serious national player takes a direct hit. And in coalition politics, numbers are credibility.This also affects AAP’s leverage in the opposition’s INDIA bloc dynamics. The party has often negotiated from a position of relative strength. That equation had already shifted a blow after last year’s loss in Delhi. Now, as its legislative footprint shrinks, it might get harder for the party to assert itself in seat-sharing talks or strategic decisions.For Chadha, the move resets his trajectory in national politics. Whether it strengthens the Bharatiya Janata Party’s footprint in Punjab or reshapes opposition equations within the INDIA bloc will become clearer in the months ahead.One thing, however, is already evident: this is not just a break-up. It is a moment that could redraw political lines — both in Punjab and beyond.Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh has, for now, said he would seek the disqualification of Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal and Sandeep Pathak from the Upper House for joining the BJP.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. 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