Former AAP Leader Says ‘Toxic Work Culture’ and Loss of Internal Freedom Forced Him to Leave the Party
Days after resigning from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has publicly explained the reasons behind his exit, accusing his former party of abandoning its founding values and creating an atmosphere where leaders can neither work freely nor express themselves openly.
In a video statement shared on social media, Chadha said he spent 15 years helping build the party, but claimed the organisation has changed drastically under its present leadership. He said that “I gave 15 years of my life, my blood, sweat, and hard work, to build this party. But today, it is no longer the same. There is a toxic work culture where you are stopped from working and even speaking,” adding that he increasingly felt that he was “the right man in the wrong party.”
‘Disappointment, Disenchantment and Disgust’: Chadha Opens Up on Exit
Rejecting speculation that his decision was made under pressure, Chadha said his resignation was driven entirely by deep dissatisfaction with the way the party was functioning. According to him, his departure came after growing “disappointment, disenchantment and disgust,” adding that “this decision has not been made under any pressure. It has come from disappointment, disenchantment and disgust.”
He said that what troubled him most was the lack of freedom within the party, where even elected representatives were unable to independently raise issues or voice opinions.
“7 MPs Cannot Be Wrong,” Says Chadha
Raghav Chadha also pointed out that his departure was part of a larger exodus, with six other MPs leaving the party, arguing that such a collective move reflects a deeper internal problem. Defending the mass exit, he said that “one or two people can be wrong, but seven people cannot be wrong,” indicating that the resignations reflected widespread dissatisfaction within the organisation.
Social Media Fallout After BJP Switch
While Chadha’s remarks have triggered political debate, his move has also led to a sharp reaction online. Reports suggest that after announcing his switch to the BJP, he lost more than one million followers on Instagram within a single day, with the number reportedly nearing two million amid criticism from former supporters.
The backlash highlights the emotional reaction among AAP supporters, many of whom had seen Chadha as one of the party’s most prominent young leaders.
AAP Moves to Disqualify Rebel MPs
The Aam Aadmi Party has responded strongly to the resignations by filing a petition before Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan, seeking the disqualification of Chadha and six other MPs who left the party.
The party is also considering legal action against the defecting leaders as it attempts to contain the fallout at a time when it is trying to strengthen its political base in Punjab, Gujarat and Goa ahead of upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, Chadha has said that despite the backlash, he will continue to raise public issues with “greater energy and commitment” in his new political role.
Why did Raghav Chadha leave AAP?
Raghav Chadha said he left AAP because the party developed a toxic work culture where leaders were prevented from working and speaking freely.
What did Raghav Chadha mean by ‘7 MPs cannot be wrong’?
He meant that the decision of seven MPs to leave AAP together reflects serious internal dissatisfaction and cannot be dismissed as an individual issue.
How has AAP responded to the resignations?
AAP has petitioned the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking the disqualification of Chadha and six other MPs who resigned from the party.
Did Raghav Chadha face backlash after joining BJP?
Yes, reports suggest he lost over a million social media followers shortly after switching parties.
