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Sahney says he warned Kejriwal before seven AAP MPs joined BJP
Rajya Sabha MP Vikram Sahney disclosed in an interview that he met AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal days before seven AAP leaders moved to the BJP. He warned that even one or two defections could push the group toward the two-thirds threshold under the anti-defection law, and noted Kejriwal's skepticism about Sandeep Pathak's resignation. The exits prompted AAP to call the rebels traitors, while Sahney attributed rising frustration to sidelining of core leaders after the Punjab mandate and Delhi 2025 results.
Why It Matters
The timeline captures internal dissent, defections, and legal thresholds that influence party dynamics and governance in Punjab and national politics as BJP strengthens its position.
Timeline
5 Events
Chadha remarks after leaving party
April 26, 2026
Chadha said he felt like 'the right man in the wrong party' after announcing his decision to switch allegiance, stating the MPs left because they did not want to be part of their crime.
AAP reacts to exits by labeling rebels as traitors
April 26, 2026
AAP leaders termed the MPs as 'traitors (gaddar)' and said they had betrayed the people of Punjab.
Seven AAP leaders exit, merge with BJP
April 26, 2026
The seven leaders, including Vikram Sahney, left the AAP and merged with the BJP. The article names five of the other MPs—Raghav Chadha, Rajinder Gupta, Sandeep Pathak, Swati Maliwal, and Harbhajan Singh—and notes there were six other MPs in total who switched sides.
Sahney says Chadha and Pathak were frustrated due to sidelining
April 25, 2026
In an interview with PTI, Sahney said Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak had become frustrated over the past couple of years because they were sidelined in ticket distribution, candidate selection, and overall strategy. He said a new team took over after the Delhi assembly elections of 2025 and that sidelining aggravated the situation, leading to growing dissatisfaction among MPs.
Sahney meets Kejriwal to discuss plan before BJP merger
April 22, 2026
Rajya Sabha MP Vikram Sahney told NDTV he met AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on the preceding Wednesday and discussed their plans. He warned that even the departure of one or two MPs could push the tally to the two-thirds threshold required to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, noting that with five more MPs the target would be reached.