Raghav Chadha, one of the most recognisable young faces in Indian politics, has broken his silence after switching from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party, releasing a video to address the backlash surrounding his exit.
His move came just days after he, along with six other leaders, walked out of AAP — a decision that drew sharp criticism from former colleagues, who labelled it a “betrayal”. The party pointed out that Chadha had been given significant responsibilities early on, including being made one of the youngest members of the Rajya Sabha at just 33.
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In his message, Chadha pushed back against the criticism, saying his decision was not driven by personal ambition. He highlighted that he had left behind a successful career as a Chartered Accountant to enter public life, adding that politics, for him, was never about building a career.
Explaining why he left, Chadha said the party he had helped build over nearly 15 years had changed drastically. He claimed that an unhealthy and restrictive work culture had taken hold within AAP, making it difficult for him to function effectively.
He also addressed supporters directly, saying he had received a flood of messages over the past few days — some supportive, others questioning his decision — and that the video was meant to respond to all of them.
Chadha further alleged that his role within the party had been steadily reduced. He pointed to his removal as the deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and claimed his opportunities to speak in Parliament had been limited. People close to him also suggested there were efforts within the party to sideline him.
In a sharp attack, he accused sections of the party leadership of being “corrupt and compromised”, signalling a clear break from the organisation he once strongly represented.
Previously seen as a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal, Chadha’s exit marks a major shift in political alignments. With his entry, the BJP is expected to position him as part of its broader national strategy going forward.
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