Raghav Chadha joins BJP, faces backlash on social media
New Delhi : In a major political development, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move has created strong reactions across the country, especially on social media.
Chadha, who was seen as a key young leader of AAP, joined the BJP along with a group of seven Rajya Sabha MPs. By bringing more than two-thirds of AAP’s members in the Upper House, the group was able to merge with the BJP without facing disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Among those who joined him are Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Swati Maliwal, and former cricketer Harbhajan Singh. At a press conference, Chadha said he left AAP due to “unchecked corruption” and a “betrayal of principles.” He added that he did not want to be part of the party’s current direction.
However, the political move led to a strong digital backlash. Chadha, who has a large following among young voters, lost more than 1.1 million followers on Instagram within two days. Many users started an “unfollow” campaign, and hashtags like #UturnRaghav and #Exposed began trending online. Social media platforms were also filled with memes comparing his switch to a sudden transfer in sports.
Reports also suggest that his wife, actor Parineeti Chopra, saw a drop in her follower count after the announcement.
The AAP leadership reacted strongly to the development. Hon’ble Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised the move, calling it a betrayal of public trust. Other party leaders described it as part of “Operation Lotus,” a term often used to describe political defections to the BJP.
With this merger, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has increased its strength in the Rajya Sabha to 141 seats, strengthening its position in Parliament.
While BJP leaders welcomed Chadha as a young and dynamic addition, political experts believe he may face challenges in rebuilding his image among supporters who feel disappointed by his sudden shift.
