Parliamentary politics in India witnessed a dramatic turn as the Rajya Sabha Secretariat updated its records, formally recognizing seven ex-AAP parliamentarians as BJP members. Announced on Monday, this change elevates BJP to 113 seats, reshaping the upper house’s balance of power.
The high-profile switch includes Raghav Chadha, the cricketer-turned-politician Harbhajan Singh, former DCW chief Swati Maliwal, and four others: Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Sandeep Kumar Pathak, Vikramjit Singh Sahni, and Rajinder Gupta. Their departure has slashed AAP’s tally from 10 to a mere 3, delivering a body blow to Arvind Kejriwal’s outfit.
According to the official ‘Party Position’ released by the Secretariat, BJP reigns supreme with 113 MPs. Congress holds second place with 29, while regional heavyweights like TMC (13), DMK (8), YSRCP (7), and BJD (6) follow suit.
AIADMK boasts 5 seats, matched by JD(U), SP, and NCP at 4 each. RJD, BRS, CPI(M), and NC each command 3; JMM and CPI have 2. A smattering of smaller parties, one independent each, and 7 nominated members complete the 245-member house.
This mass defection highlights AAP’s internal fractures amid ongoing legal and political pressures. For BJP, it’s a strategic masterstroke, enhancing its legislative muscle ahead of key debates. Analysts predict this could influence everything from bill passages to coalition negotiations in the coming sessions.
