New Delhi: The political conflict surrounding Raghav Chadha’s defection from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified after AAP released an AI-generated video attacking its former leader and branding him a “traitor of Punjab”.
The video, shared by AAP on social media, reportedly uses artificial intelligence to portray Chadha in a critical light, accusing him of violating the mandate of Punjab and the party that elevated him politically. The clip is part of a broader campaign by AAP leaders who have harshly criticized Chadha following his dramatic political turn.
AI video sparks political storm
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of carrying out ‘Operation Lotus’ after seven AAP MPs, including Raghav Chadha, resigned to join the BJP.
At a press conference in New Delhi, AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was sabotaging the good work done by CM Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab. Singh accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of using the ED and CBI against the Punjab government and claimed that ‘Operation Lotus’ was being carried out by the Bharatiya Janata Party under the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
AAP leaders amplified the video online, calling Chadha’s move to the BJP a betrayal of the people of Punjab and the party’s core principles. The term “traitor” has been repeatedly used by party leaders in public statements and digital campaigns against him.
Chadha’s exit and elimination
Chadha, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, resigned from AAP and joined the BJP on April 24, 2026, which triggered a major political upheaval. His resignation, along with that of several other MPs, exposed deep internal rifts within the AAP parliamentary wing.
AAP leaders have accused him of “betraying” and aligning himself with the BJP as part of a larger strategy to weaken the party. Meanwhile, some leaders alleged that the BJP was trying to orchestrate defections to destabilize the AAP, especially in Punjab.
Intensifying war of words
The controversy sparked a heated exchange of accusations. While AAP leaders claim that Chadha has renounced the party’s ideology, BJP leaders have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Sanjay Singh called the seven defectors “traitors”. He said AAP had done so much for the Congress members who are currently in rebellion. “The people of Punjab gave them so much love. They sent them under the lap of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Yet they ended up on the lap of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The people of Punjab will never forget these ‘traitors’…The people of Punjab should remember the names of these seven people.”
Following the revolt by seven MPs, AAP national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “The BJP has betrayed the people of Punjab yet again.”
political implications
The Aam Aadmi Party suffered a major setback on Friday when Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, who was earlier removed as Rajya Sabha deputy leader, joined the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
With two-thirds of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members quitting the party to join the BJP, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has slammed party national convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying the defection of seven members is a direct blow to the party’s autocratic structure.
Mr. Gupta claimed that there is not a single non-corrupt leader left in the Aam Aadmi Party. She warned that the AAP would lose in Punjab just like it had lost in Delhi.
In an X post on Friday, the chief minister said, “AAP, which started with revolutionary slogans, is now dying due to distrust and alienation. Now there is no common man left in your party, only corrupt people. Mr. Kejriwal, the defection of two-thirds of Rajya Sabha MPs is a direct blow to your dictatorship. After Delhi, now it is Punjab’s turn.”
Furthermore, Bharatiya Janata Party’s national president Nitin Navin also welcomed the Rajya Sabha MPs at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters after joining the Bhartiya Janata Party. Conveying this to X, Navin on Friday extended warm wishes to all the seven MPs and encouraged them to work towards achieving the goal of ‘Vikshit Bharat by 2047’.
Also read: ‘Direct blow to dictatorship’: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta targets Kejriwal over Rajya Sabha MP’s defection from party
