A major political shake-up is unfolding in Punjab ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections, with several senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party announcing their defection to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

At a press conference in New Delhi, senior AAP figures Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak said they, along with other parliamentarians including Ashok Mittal, are joining the BJP. They also claimed that additional members of the party’s parliamentary wing are expected to follow.

Chadha alleged that a significant number of AAP’s Rajya Sabha MPs have decided to leave the party, claiming that nearly seven of its 10 upper house members are aligned with the move. He said formal communication regarding the development had been submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman.

The names of several MPs, including Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikram Sahni, Swati Maliwal and Ashok Mittal, were cited as part of the group joining the BJP.

Chadha and Pathak, both key organisational figures in AAP, said the shift reflects deeper political realignments ahead of the upcoming Punjab election, where AAP currently holds power.

The move comes shortly after Ashok Mittal’s residence and offices were searched by the Enforcement Directorate, though no charges have been publicly announced in connection with those searches.

The AAP has strongly rejected the allegations of a mass defection and accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize the party. Party spokesperson Baltej Pannu alleged that central agencies were being used to create pressure on MPs, and claimed Union Home Minister Amit Shah was behind efforts to weaken the party.

Pannu also alleged that inducements, including promises of ministerial positions, were being used to influence leaders, allegations the BJP has not publicly responded to.

The claims have not been independently verified.