Raghav Chadha, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party from the Aam Aadmi Party along with six other Rajya Sabha MPs, has accused his former party of engaging in vendetta politics. He claimed that sources have indicated he could be the “next target” and likened AAP’s behaviour to that of an “obsessed, jilted ex-partner” unable to move on.
On Tuesday, Chadha, along with MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, met Droupadi Murmu and raised concerns over the actions of the AAP-led Punjab government against MPs who recently switched sides. “We informed the President about how the Punjab government is using state machinery for vendetta politics against MPs who left AAP to join the BJP,” Chadha said during a media interaction.
“According to sources, I will be their next target. The Punjab government has hired agencies to threaten us on social media,” he added.
Later, Chadha shared a picture from the meeting on X, stating that the MPs drew strength from the President’s “assurance” on constitutional rights and democratic choices. “AAP today behaves less like a political party and more like an obsessed, jilted ex — bitter, vindictive, and unable to move on,” he wrote.
His remarks come amid recent actions in Punjab, including raids by the Punjab Pollution Control Board at a textile unit linked to MP Rajinder Gupta and reports of FIRs against MP Sandeep Pathak.
Chadha further said that the President assured them of protection. “The President has assured us of safeguarding our rights and the Constitution,” he noted.
Echoing similar concerns, Pathak alleged that the cases filed against him were an attempt to intimidate defecting MPs. “We exercised our constitutional rights in leaving AAP. The party is trying to pressure us through false FIRs. We will fight this legally and continue working in the national interest,” he said.
Apart from Chadha, Pathak, and Mittal, MPs Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikramjit Sahney were among those who recently joined the BJP, reducing AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha to three.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is also scheduled to meet President Murmu to raise objections over the defections. Mann is expected to submit a copy of the confidence motion passed by the Punjab Assembly on May 1, amid speculation about his government’s stability following the political developments. (Agencies)
