AAP’s rise to power was widely regarded as a landmark moment demonstrating that ordinary citizens could enter governance and challenge entrenched political systems. However, the party’s journey has been marked by recurring internal fractures. The latest move by Chadha and his colleagues adds to a long list of prominent leaders who have exited the party over ideological disagreements, leadership disputes, and allegations of corruption.
Among the earliest and most notable departures was Yogendra Yadav, a political activist, psephologist, and writer, who later founded the Swaraj Abhiyan. Raaj Kumar Anand, a former Delhi minister, joined the BJP in 2024 after accusing AAP of corruption and briefly engaged in discussions with the Bahujan Samaj Party. Prashant Bhushan, a prominent public interest lawyer and activist, also parted ways with the party.
Founding member Kumar Vishwas exited politics following differences with the party leadership, while Ashutosh, a journalist and former AAP spokesperson, also stepped away. Kailash Gahlot joined the BJP in 2024 and went on to win the 2025 Delhi Assembly election from the Bijwasan constituency.
Shazia Ilmi, who had been associated with the India Against Corruption movement and served as an AAP spokesperson, later joined the BJP. Amit Palekar, once projected as AAP’s chief ministerial face in Goa, also distanced himself from the party.
Another significant figure, Satyendar Jain, a former Delhi minister, resigned after being jailed in connection with the liquor policy case, further intensifying scrutiny on the party’s governance and internal functioning.
The exodus extends beyond senior leadership. Eight Members of the Legislative Assembly, including Girish Soni, Rajesh Rishi, and Bhavna Gaur, have left the party. At the municipal level, 15 councillors, including key leader Mukesh Kumar Goel, have also parted ways with AAP, signaling widespread organizational strain.
The cumulative impact of these departures underscores persistent internal challenges within the Aam Aadmi Party. The latest defection led by Raghav Chadha not only weakens the party’s parliamentary presence but also reinforces concerns about leadership cohesion and ideological alignment, raising critical questions about its future trajectory in Indian politics.
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