The defection of seven Rajya Sabha members from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a morale booster for the BJP in Punjab, former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar said on Friday (April 24, 2026).
Mr. Kumar, a former Congress leader, said in a statement that the development will enhance the BJP’s negotiating ability with the Akali Dal for a possible pre-election alliance in Punjab and improve its public perception. It could also be a contributing factor to a fractured mandate in the Assembly election in the State, which is 10 months away, he added.
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“Prominent leaders from other parties may also follow, given the increasing dissidence in the Congress and Akali ranks. Raghav Chadha is likely to be presented by the BJP as its new leadership face to woo the urban electorate, with Ravneet Bittu as its face for the Sikh peasantry,” Mr. Kumar said.
“The development has once again demonstrated the BJP’s capacity for deft political moves and harnessing the factors of power to its advantage. The shifting of loyalties of Rajya Sabha members also shows that the BJP is not a pariah party in the State,” the former Union Minister added.
