Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha after two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha members joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing him of choosing to align with the ruling party preferably be a part of the BJP’s crimes.
Sharing an X post, TMC MP wrote, “He’d rather be a part of BJP’s crimes.” Moitra attached the article, which quoted, “I did not want to be a part of AAP’s crimes: Raghav Chadha, six other MPs join BJP”
TMC MP’s remarks come after the trio of MPs–Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal–parted ways with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday and subsequently joined the BJP in the presence of party leadership, which welcomed their decision.
On Friday, while addressing a presser in the national capital, Chadha said that he, along with six AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, has informed the Chairman of the House, in accordance with the rules, of leaving the party. Now, the Aam Aadmi Party is also set to send a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman in this matter. He formalised a split that had been building for weeks, announcing that two-thirds of the party’s Upper House members would merge with the BJP.
Meanwhile, the AAP has now begun working on a new strategy. Deliberations are ongoing among party leaders regarding the situation. Late last night, after returning from a visit to Gujarat, senior party leader Manish Sisodia met party convenor Arvind Kejriwal at his residence.Manish Sisodia was in Rajkot to campaign for the party in the Gujarat municipal elections. Party sources said, “After returning to Delhi late at night, Sisodia went straight from the airport to the residence of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The two leaders met for more than half an hour. During the meeting, they also discussed the possible impact of the split and what the future strategy should be.”
Party sources said, “The chief whip in the Upper House, ND Gupta, will submit a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman against Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal.”
“Gupta’s letter will seek action as per the anti-defection law. These 3 leaders were seen in public joining the BJP. The remaining four were not seen in the public domain, making that move. Hence, the chief whip will lodge the complaint against the three MPs seen in the BJP office,” a party source added.