Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Kejriwal Promises Caution in Rajya Sabha Picks After AAP Defections
Arvind Kejriwal said the Aam Aadmi Party will choose future Rajya Sabha members more carefully.
He made this statement after seven of the party’s MPs joined the BJP.
Raghav Chadha was among the MPs who switched parties.
The change reduced AAP’s Rajya Sabha members from 10 to three.
The report says the MPs avoided disqualification because they met the required two-thirds threshold.
Kejriwal spoke at a public meeting in Goa.
AAP is preparing for the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
It has also formed an election alliance with the Goa Forward Party.
Arvind Kejriwal said AAP will be more cautious when selecting future Rajya Sabha nominees.
His remarks followed defections by seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP.
Raghav Chadha and six other MPs joined the BJP, according to the report.
The defections reduced AAP’s Rajya Sabha strength from 10 members to three.
Kejriwal made the comments in Goa as AAP prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections.
- Who
- Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party; Raghav Chadha and six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs also feature in the report.
- What
- Kejriwal said AAP would be extra cautious when choosing future Rajya Sabha nominees after seven MPs defected to the BJP.
- When
- Sunday, September 13, 2026.
- Where
- At a public meeting in Goa.
- Why
- The announcement followed defections that weakened AAP’s strength and representation in the Rajya Sabha.
- AAP Rajya Sabha strength before defections
- 10 members
- AAP Rajya Sabha strength after defections
- 3 members
- MPs who switched sides
- Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs joined the BJP.
- Named defectors
- Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Swati Maliwal, Ashok Mittal, Vikramjit Sahney, Rajinder Gupta and Harbhajan Singh.
- Disqualification status
- The seven MPs were reported to have crossed the two-thirds threshold required for an exemption under the anti-defection law.
- Upcoming election
- The 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
- AAP alliance
- AAP has entered a pre-poll alliance with the Goa Forward Party.