Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha announced that over two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs, including himself, are merging with the BJP, a move legally protected under the Anti-Defection Law’s merger provisions. This law, designed to prevent political defections motivated by power, exempts mergers if at least two-thirds of a party’s legislators agree, thereby shielding these MPs from disqualification. Chadha’s group strategically avoided individual resignations, which would have triggered disqualification, by acting collectively to merge with the BJP.

The article also highlights the historical and ongoing challenges of political defections in India, illustrating how the Anti-Defection Law has often been circumvented for political gain. Notable defections in states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and others have led to government collapses and shifts in power, exposing the law’s limitations. These patterns underscore the need for reforms to strengthen democratic stability and prevent opportunistic party-switching that undermines political integrity.