The Times of India

This of RS MPs comes just a little over 14 months after AAP faced a rout on its homeground Delhi and when the party is bracing itself for a tough battle to save its govt in Punjab. The defection takes away the bounce the party enjoyed following Kejriwals discharge in the liquor case. The departures, besides denting AAPs presence in Parliament also brings out its vulnerability as it now faces the big challenge of keeping its flock together MLAs in Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly.

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, now with the BJP, revealed she was intimidated and threatened after alleging an assault by an AAP aide at Kejriwal's residence in 2024. She claimed immense pressure to withdraw her FIR, leading to her being sidelined by the party. Maliwal also criticized AAP's governance in Punjab and praised PM Modi's leadership.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will meet President Murmu to seek the recall of seven AAP MPs, including six from Punjab, who have joined the BJP. This move follows Raghav Chadha's announcement that two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha members are merging with the BJP, citing the party's deviation from its principles.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seized upon remarks by RSS leader Ram Madhav to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Madhav's initial comments suggested India yielded to US pressure on oil imports and tariffs, which he later retracted and apologized for. Congress claims this indicates Modi has lost his authority and India's sovereignty is compromised.

K Kavitha is launching a new political party in Telangana, aiming to fulfill the region's unfinished agenda. She stated her supporters were expelled from the BRS, not that they left. Kavitha emphasized her deep connection to Telangana and its people, viewing them as her family, despite strained ties with her father's party and family.

Veteran activist Anna Hazare criticized AAP leadership following the departure of Raghav Chadha and six other Rajya Sabha MPs, suggesting their exit stemmed from the party deviating from its original principles. Chadha announced the group's decision to merge with the BJP, citing constitutional provisions and claiming a significant portion of AAP's Rajya Sabha members had left.

Bharatiya Janata Party has sharply criticized Arvind Kejriwal, labeling him the Rahman Dakait of Delhi and accusing him of lavish living. BJP leader Parvesh Verma alleged Kejriwal built a Sheesh Mahal 2 while Delhi suffered during the Covid wave and has now moved into a luxurious bungalow, abandoning his image of simplicity.

Tenth Schedule Sterile, Replace It, Says Singhvi

Seven Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha, have defected from AAP to the BJP, significantly boosting the ruling party's numbers to 113 and reducing AAP to just three members. This move weakens the opposition bloc's strength to 77, marking a substantial shift in the Upper House's political landscape and impacting AAP's national presence.

Aam Aadmi Party faces a significant internal crisis as Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha leads a mass exodus of seven MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party. This move, following Chadha's removal as deputy leader, marks a severe blow to AAP's presence in Parliament and raises questions about its core principles.

RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale clarified the organization's identity as a civilizational movement, not religious, emphasizing cultural values and societal betterment. He addressed regional tensions, advocating for dialogue, and refuted claims of Hindu supremacy, highlighting India's global image beyond common misconceptions.

Raghav Chadha's defection from AAP to BJP, along with six other Rajya Sabha members, significantly weakens the party's parliamentary strength and national positioning. This move, which qualifies as a merger under anti-defection rules, erodes AAP's credibility and its ability to represent Punjab's interests nationally, potentially impacting upcoming elections.

Raghav Chadha, formerly of AAP, has joined the BJP, a party he previously labeled as 'illiterate goons.' Chadha cited AAP's deviation from principles for personal gain as his reason for leaving. He now praises PM Modi's leadership and vows to continue raising citizen issues under the BJP banner.

A significant rift within the Aam Aadmi Party has led to a major exodus, with seven AAP MPs joining the BJP. This leaves the party with only three members in the Rajya Sabha, including leader Sanjay Singh, who has denounced the defectors as 'traitors' amidst allegations of 'Operation Lotus' targeting the Punjab government.

Aam Aadmi Party's rising star Raghav Chadha has dramatically exited the party, citing a deviation from principles and personal benefit. Chadha, along with six other Rajya Sabha members, announced their merger with the BJP, accusing AAP leadership of silencing him. This move signals a significant internal rupture and an existential moment for the AAP, following Chadha's removal as deputy leader.

Former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane emphasized keeping armed forces away from political narratives, while acknowledging individual democratic rights. His remarks followed a controversy where excerpts from his unpublished memoir were cited in Parliament, sparking debates on national security and civil-military relations.

Aam Aadmi Party faces a significant setback as Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha and six other MPs announced their decision to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Chadha cited the AAP's deviation from its core ideology and working for personal benefits as reasons for the move. This comes days after Chadha's removal as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared her intention to challenge the BJP nationally, aiming to unite opposition parties and dismantle the party at the Centre. She vowed to win Bengal first, then take the fight to Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded with a jibe, questioning her need to come to Delhi.

In a significant political shift, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party and joined the BJP, citing the party's deviation from its founding principles for personal gain. Chadha expressed feeling like the 'right man in the wrong party.' He announced that seven AAP MPs, including Swati Maliwal and Harbhajan Singh, are also making the move.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed the wave of change in West Bengal is evident after the first phase of polling, signaling a BJP victory. He alleged the TMC has crushed the temple of democracy and urged voters to reconstruct it, while also criticizing the party over women's safety.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of staging his recent jhalmuri break during a campaign stop, alleging pre-planned arrangements and camera installations. She countered PM Modi's jhalmuri reference by listing diverse foods she consumes, questioning the BJP's confidence and suggesting EVM tampering. PM Modi had previously used the jhalmuri anecdote to target the TMC.

Independent MP Pappu Yadav defends his statements on the Women's Reservation Bill. He asserts his commitment to protecting women entering politics. Yadav alleges exploitation of young girls by leaders and capitalists. He claims his remarks highlight the struggles women face in the political arena. The Bihar State Women's Commission has sought an explanation for his offensive statements.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the high voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections signals a desire for change. He asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party is poised for victory and will form the next government with an absolute majority.

The Supreme Court has directed officials deputed for election duty in West Bengal to approach the appellate tribunal regarding their exclusion from voter rolls. While acknowledging the issue of their continued inclusion in electoral rolls will be examined, the court stated it cannot alter its orders daily, emphasizing the need to follow prescribed legal channels for voting rights.

The BJP has announced that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will lead the party in the 2027 Uttarakhand assembly elections. Party president Nitin Nabin highlighted Dhami's focus on development and governance, with senior leaders like Prime Minister Modi, Rajnath Singh, and Amit Shah also praising his leadership and the state's progress.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee launched a strong attack on the BJP, accusing them of influencing the state's administration and vowing to politically counter them beyond Bengal. She declared her intention to ake over Delhi after winning Bengal, aiming for the BJP's destruction. The remarks come amid an intense election battle with high voter turnout.