A day after Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha sparked a political controversy by quitting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), early indicators suggest his public popularity, particularly among younger audiences, may have taken a setback.
Chadha, who switched sides along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, left the Arvind Kejriwal-led party in a move that had been widely speculated after his removal as AAP’s Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.
Following the development, social media reactions were quick and sharp. Data shows that the 37-year-old leader lost over one million followers on Instagram within 24 hours, dropping from 14.6 million on Friday to around 13.4 million by Saturday afternoon.
Massive Drop in Instagram Followers
Political observers say the backlash appears to be largely driven by Gen Z users. “A viral Gen Z ‘unfollow’ campaign on Instagram has led to Raghav Chadha’s followers dropping by 10 lakh in 24 hours,” NCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande wrote in a post on X.
“The internet can make you a hero overnight. The internet can also bring you down to zero overnight,” he added.
Chadha had earlier built a strong connect with young audiences by raising everyday issues often ignored in mainstream politics — ranging from paternity leave and telecom data limits to concerns of gig workers and quick-commerce delivery systems. His decision to briefly work as a delivery partner for a quick-commerce platform had further strengthened his image as an accessible, youth-oriented leader.
Gen Z Drives ‘Unfollow’ Campaign
That engagement had once sparked discussions about him potentially leading a “Gen Z party,” a suggestion he had earlier described as an “interesting thought.” However, his move to join the BJP appears to have shifted online sentiment.
The hashtag “#unfollowRaghavChadha” has since gained traction, with users pointing out changes in his social media activity.
Among those reacting was mountaineer Rohtash Khileri, while political commentator Diksha Kandpal also noted a sharp rise in unfollow comments on his posts. Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj further highlighted that only two posts referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi currently remain on Chadha’s timeline — both of which are supportive in tone.
Whether Chadha is able to regain his popularity among younger voters in the coming days remains to be seen.
