AAP exodus: Rajya Sabha MPs quit and merge with BJP, says Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Aam Aadmi Party is facing an exodus after failing to meet its promises and losing public trust. He welcomed the decision of seven Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, and Sandeep Pathak, to quit, with Chadha saying they had merged with the BJP.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Aam Aadmi Party was facing exits. Fadnavis linked the departures to unmet promises and lost public trust. Fadnavis also welcomed the decision of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to leave. The group included Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal and Sandeep Pathak.

Fadnavis said the MPs left because they trusted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Fadnavis also pointed to a wider pattern since the India Against Corruption movement. Fadnavis said many early AAP figures had become disappointed over time. Fadnavis said several of them had already quit in recent years.

AAP Rajya Sabha MPs join BJP, says Fadnavis

Fadnavis reacted to what was described as a dramatic political change. Fadnavis said AAP reached power by selling hopes to people. Fadnavis said the party then failed to deliver on those pledges. Fadnavis added that it later let down public confidence. Fadnavis said this had led to a steady outflow of leaders.

Chadha said all seven MPs had switched sides together. Chadha said all of them had merged with the BJP. Fadnavis said those still in AAP also saw a problem. Fadnavis said AAP leaders used the anti-corruption movement as a cover. Fadnavis said the aim was gaining power, not reform.

MNS protest over Marathi rule draws response from Fadnavis

Fadnavis also answered a question on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers protesting. The protest targeted Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam. The issue was Nirupam’s appeal to reconsider Marathi being compulsory. The rule applies to autorickshaw and taxi drivers in Mumbai. Fadnavis said Marathi primacy in Mumbai was not wrong.

"We do not approve of violence....We will teach Marathi to auto and taxi drivers in Maharashtra who do not know it, and not letinjustice happen to anyone, Fadnavis said.\"

Fadnavis’s comments covered both party politics and the language debate in Mumbai. Fadnavis said AAP’s departures reflected disappointment among its founders and MPs. Fadnavis also said Marathi should get priority across Maharashtra. Fadnavis said the state would oppose violence and prevent unfair treatment.

With inputs from PTI