Raghav Chadha meets President Murmu, alleges AAP Punjab govt misusing state machinery
Synopsis
Days after formally merging with the BJP, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha took his harassment allegations straight to President Droupadi Murmu — accusing the AAP-led Punjab government of targeting defecting MPs through police intimidation, administrative action against businesses, and attacks on MPs' residences.
Key Takeaways
Raghav Chadha met President Droupadi Murmu on 5 May 2026 to flag alleged harassment by the AAP -led Punjab government.
Two-thirds of the MP group formally merged with the BJP on 24 April 2026 , triggering the alleged retaliation.
Former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh allegedly faced sloganeering, stone-pelting, and anti-national graffiti outside his Jalandhar residence.
Industrialist and Padma Shri awardee Rajinder Gupta's factory in Punjab's Malwa region — reportedly supporting 30,000 families — allegedly had its water connection cut and faced Pollution Control Board action.
Chadha warned AAP against escalating political retaliation, noting the BJP governs 21 states against AAP's single-state government.
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, met President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi along with three fellow MPs, raising concerns over alleged misuse of state machinery by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government against MPs who recently merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The delegation sought the President's intervention, claiming that their constitutional right to switch political allegiance was being met with targeted harassment.
What the Delegation Told the President
Chadha said the MPs conveyed to the President that two-thirds of their parliamentary group had exercised their constitutional right to leave AAP and formally merge with the BJP on 24 April 2026. He alleged that since then, the Punjab government had unleashed what he described as a campaign of intimidation against the defecting MPs.
Point of View
And Chadha's delegation would do well to acknowledge that before claiming the moral high ground.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Raghav Chadha meet President Droupadi Murmu on 5 May 2026?
Raghav Chadha met President Droupadi Murmu to raise concerns about alleged misuse of state machinery by the AAP-led Punjab government against MPs who merged with the BJP on 24 April 2026. The delegation sought the President's assurance that their constitutional rights would be protected.
What harassment did Raghav Chadha allege against AAP's Punjab government?
Chadha alleged multiple incidents, including sloganeering, stone-pelting, and anti-national graffiti outside MP Harbhajan Singh's Jalandhar residence, as well as administrative action — including cutting the water supply — at industrialist Rajinder Gupta's factory in Punjab's Malwa region.
Who is Rajinder Gupta and why was his factory targeted, according to Chadha?
Rajinder Gupta is a Padma Shri-awarded industrialist whose factory in Punjab's Malwa region reportedly supports around 30,000 families. Chadha alleged the Punjab government cut the factory's water connection and directed the state Pollution Control Board to carry out inspections aimed at shutting it down.
What did President Droupadi Murmu say to the delegation?
Chadha said the President's response gave the delegation reassurance, quoting her assurance that constitutional rights and democratic choices must be respected. The President's office has not issued an independent statement on the meeting.
What is the significance of the AAP-to-BJP merger that triggered this dispute?
Two-thirds of the AAP MP group formally merged with the BJP on 24 April 2026, a move that qualifies as a valid merger under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and shields the MPs from disqualification. Chadha alleges the AAP-led Punjab government responded with targeted harassment rather than accepting the democratic decision.
