i-am-bjp-s-next-target-says-raghav-chadha-after-meeting-prez

Raghav Chadha, who recently defected from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the BJP alongside six other Rajya Sabha MPs, has hit out at his former party, alleging a campaign of "vendetta politics." Following a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, Chadha claimed he has been informed by sources that he is to be the "next target" of the Punjab government. He likened AAP’s current conduct to that of an "obsessed, jilted ex-partner" who is unable to accept the end of a relationship and move on.

 

Accompanied by fellow MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Chadha raised concerns regarding the alleged misuse of state machinery by the AAP-led Punjab administration. He argued that the government is actively using its powers to threaten and intimidate those who chose to join the BJP. 

 

Honoured to meet the Hon’ble President of India this morning, along with three fellow MPs.

We conveyed how the AAP’s Punjab government is misusing State machinery to target us for exercising our constitutional rights, after two-thirds of MPs chose to merge with the BJP. The… pic.twitter.com/Zpbx6pV0wN

— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) May 5, 2026

 

The allegations arise in the wake of a series of administrative actions against the defecting members by the government of Punjab. It is noteworthy that PPCB recently carried out raids at a textile factory belonging to Rajinder Gupta, an MP. Meanwhile, information suggests that two FIRs have been registered against Sandeep Pathak on non-bailable charges. The latter described all these legal proceedings as "concocted" to threaten the rebels only.

Defection in large numbers from AAP has weakened the party in the Rajya Sabha, as it has brought down the total membership of the party in the House to just three. Defectors argue that their action is purely based on their rights, as they wanted to act in the interest of the nation.

The political drama in the capital is two-sided, however, as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also led a delegation to meet the President on Tuesday. Mann is seeking to voice the "concerns" of the Punjab electorate regarding the sudden switch of their representatives. As part of his visit, the Chief Minister intended to present a copy of the confidence motion passed by the Punjab Assembly on May 1— a move aimed at dispelling any speculation regarding the stability of his government following the recent exodus.

 

Also read: AAP exodus to BJP: Punjab CM to meet President today