Indian politics witnessed a significant event on 25 April 2026, with Raghav Chadha and six other MPs in Rajya Sabha resigning from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This was AAP’s largest-ever such merger in the House, with sources claiming that 7 of the 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha voted in favour of the merger. This move has had a major impact on the Upper House numbers and has drawn ire from AAP leadership, describing this as “Operation Lotus”.
Raghav Chadha Joins BJP: Key Highlights of Rajya Sabha MPs’ Shift
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Raghav Chadha and six other AAP MPs formally resigned and joined the BJP on 24-25 April 2026 due to ideological differences.
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They alleged that over two-thirds of AAP Rajya Sabha MPs backed this move and provided merger papers to the chairman of the Upper House.
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The resignation of 7 out of 10 AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha made this move a merger on constitutional grounds.
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Key leaders include Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, and more.
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AAP has denounced the move as “Operation Lotus”, suggesting the BJP applied political pressure to coax defections.
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BJP welcomed the MPs, saying it is a testament to the NDA’s popularity and policies.
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This move is set to boost the NDA’s numbers in the Rajya Sabha, influencing policy-making.
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The move is deemed one of the biggest walkouts in the Rajya Sabha in recent decades, ushering in a political transition.
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AAP had issues, such as leadership and ideological differences, as reasons for their split.
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This move has escalated the political battle between AAP and BJP, with both hurling accusations at each other.
Political and Educational Background of Raghav Chadha
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Raghav Chadha was born on 11 November 1988 in Delhi and did his commerce at the University of Delhi, and is a chartered accountant.
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He had a career in big firms such as Deloitte and was attracted to public service with the India Against Corruption movement.
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Then joined the Aam Aadmi Party, one of the young leaders.
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Acted as MLA from Rajinder Nagar (2020 – 2022) & vice chairman at Delhi Jal Board.
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Elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2022, becoming one of the youngest MPs from Punjab.
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Played a pivotal role in the Punjab elections and parliamentary politics.
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He defected from AAP and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in April 2026.
Operation Lotus (Kamala): Meaning & Political Controversy
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Operation Lotus (or Operation Kamala) is a political term that has been used in India since 2008, primarily by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
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The term “Kamala” (lotus) is derived from the BJP’s official election symbol.
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It meant actions to acquire a majority by convincing or forcing opposition MLAs/MPs to cross sides.
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Popularised in Karnataka in 2008.
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Also known as “poaching” or “defection politics” by the opposition.
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The term is often denied by BJP leaders, who claim it lacks credibility.
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It is a common term used in political discourse, particularly in the formation of governments or crises.
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In April 2019, AAP once again charged “Operation Lotus” with MPs like Raghav Chadha defecting to the BJP.
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It continues to be a controversial and debated aspect of Indian politics.
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Conclusion – 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Shift, AAP Alleges
Seven Rajya Sabha MPs are a pivotal moment in Indian politics, bringing into question questions of party cohesion and intra-parliamentary politics. The opposition AAP has charged the move as part of an “Operation Lotus”, adding to the politico-ideological tension, while the BJP considers this shift a vote of confidence. The move will have implications for future Rajya Sabha legislation and upcoming political moves. The fallout and responses underline the shifting alliances and dynamics in Indian politics.
