Raghav Chadha Likely to Become Union Minister After Leaving AAP for BJP

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who recently made headlines by leaving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is emerging as a strong contender for a ministerial berth in the central government. Alongside him, Lovely Professional University (LPU) Chancellor Ashok Mittal is also in the race.

Why the Need for a New Face from Punjab?
Currently, Ravneet Singh Bittu serves as the Union Minister of State from Punjab. However, his Rajya Sabha term ended on June 21. If he is not elected as an MP within six months (by December 21), he will have to step down from his ministerial post. Consequently, the induction of a new face from Punjab into the Union Cabinet is considered almost certain. Tarun Chugh, who was recently sent to the Rajya Sabha in place of Bittu, is also a prominent contender in this race.

According to government sources, a central cabinet reshuffle is expected this Sunday or Monday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly met President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday to discuss these suggestions, though no formal confirmation has been made yet.

Chadha’s Role in Breaking AAP’s Ranks
Raghav Chadha was a key architect of AAP's massive victory in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, where the party won 92 out of 117 seats. For the first two years of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government, Chadha was often viewed as the "Super CM" of Punjab.

However, relations soured. When AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal was jailed in the liquor policy case, Chadha was in the UK. Upon his return, he rebelled and played a pivotal role in fracturing AAP by taking 7 of its MPs with him to join the BJP.

What Does the BJP Gain?

Media Narrative: The BJP gets a highly recognizable face to set a strong media narrative in Punjab.

Aggressive Campaigning: As a former AAP core committee member, Chadha is expected to campaign aggressively against his former party in the 2027 Assembly elections.

Urban Influence: Chadha can wield significant influence in urban and industrial hubs like Ludhiana and Jalandhar, acting as a crucial bridge between local industrialists and the central government.

The Setback for AAP
If Chadha is appointed as a Union Minister, AAP will face a severe psychological and organizational blow. The same leader who actively sought votes for AAP in 2022 will now be criticizing the ruling party, raising doubts in the minds of voters. Furthermore, Chadha's elevated role in the BJP could trigger an exodus of AAP leaders, particularly those who are denied party tickets or are dissatisfied with the current leadership.