CHANDIGARH, APRIL 27 — The Aam Aadmi Party’s representation in the Rajya Sabha has been reduced to three members following an official decision by Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to approve the merger of seven AAP MPs with the Bharatiya Janata Party. The ruling National Democratic Alliance has consequently seen its strength rise to 148 members, while the BJP’s individual tally has increased from 106 to 113.
The Chairman’s decision followed a legal review of a merger letter signed by Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Vikramjit Sahney, Ashok Mittal, and Rajender Gupta. Rajya Sabha officials stated that the move was found to be in accordance with the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which allows for such mergers when supported by two-thirds of a party’s legislative strength.
AAP leadership had formally requested the disqualification of the members, asserting that the anti-defection law had been violated. The party maintained that a merger of the legislative wing must be preceded by a merger of the parent political organizations. However, parliamentary sources affirmed that the Chairman’s ruling aligns with recent precedents where legislative factions successfully moved to other parties by maintaining a two-thirds majority.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju declared the arrival of the new members as a step toward national development. He stated that the seven individuals have historically maintained professional conduct and refrained from unparliamentary behavior. Rijiju affirmed that their inclusion would strengthen the NDA’s efforts under the current central leadership.
