New Delhi, April 24, 2026 – In a dramatic turn of events that could reshape the political landscape, prominent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal have reportedly switched allegiance and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today. The development, which has sent ripples through the political circles, was marked by the MPs meeting BJP chief Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters in Delhi.
While official confirmation from the MPs or the BJP is still awaited, the news has been widely reported by multiple news outlets. This move signifies a major jolt to the AAP, which has been grappling with internal realignments. Raghav Chadha, a prominent young face of the AAP and a vocal Member of Parliament, is central to this political maneuver.
The fallout from this alleged defection has already prompted reactions from AAP leadership. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his disappointment, stating that the BJP has "betrayed the people of Punjab." AAP MP Sanjay Singh has alleged that the BJP orchestrated 'Operation Lotus' to destabilize the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of being behind the move.
This political shift comes amidst a busy news cycle in India. Earlier today, the Reserve Bank of India announced that the country's foreign exchange reserves had risen by $2.3 billion in the week ending April 17, reaching $703.30 billion. In other news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his election campaign in West Bengal, focusing on the state's development and the cultural significance of the Ganga river.
Meanwhile, in sports, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season saw the Chennai Super Kings defeat the Mumbai Indians by 103 runs, with Sanju Samson scoring a century. The political developments, coupled with economic and sporting news, paint a dynamic picture of India on April 24, 2026.