Orange alert as rain leaves Gurugram waterlogged; disrupts traffic The Sector 52A market was among the most affected areas, with visuals showing commuters wading through knee-deep water Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:14:38 IST By Sampurna Panigrahi, Mihika Shah
‘Buy buy buy!’: Foreign tourist reacts to duty-free shopping after Delhi immigration A foreign tourist has posted a video of his Delhi airport experience, questioning the shopping pitches he encountered just after immigration. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
India security chief visits China for border talks India security chief visits China for border talks Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:06:38 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link India's top security official arrived in Beijing on Monday for talks on the countries' disputed Himalayan border
‘Jo bhi hai, tera ghar hai’: American compares Indian and US hospitality An American Hindi speaker’s take on Indian hospitality has viewers discussing the differences between socialising in India and the US. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:31:09 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share
Manipur: 1 CRPF personnel injured, 2 houses burnt by unknown armed individuals The gunfight broke out after two houses belonging to separate communities were set ablaze by an unidentified group of people Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:49:38 IST By Thomas Ngangom
Shocking... but not surprising
Shocking... but not surprising: The tale of a rebellion foretold
Shocking... but not surprising: The tale of a rebellion foretold
The trio MPs -- Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal -- announced a split in the party and joined BJP later in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin
Published on: Apr 25, 2026 7:56 AM IST By Sunetra Choudhury Share via Copy link New Delhi: The scale of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) exits—seven members of Parliament at one go, with at least three joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) —may have taken everyone by surprise on Friday, but it was a chronicle of defections foretold. Chadha, while addressing a presser in the national capital, formalised a split that had been building for weeks. (PTI file) The story, people familiar with the matter say, began in 2024 with two developments: preparations for the Delhi elections kicked off, and some AAP leaders were not happy with how their government in Punjab was functioning. All seven Rajya Sabha members from Punjab are from the AAP. Six of them were among the seven who quit the party on Friday. Punjab, which has an AAP government, goes to polls in early 2027. One of them is Sandeep Pathak, the IIT academic who initially served as an in-house election strategist for the AAP. Pathak played a key role during the Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections, crunching data to decide which candidates made the list. HT graphic However, all this changed by the time the Delhi elections came around. While professionals such as Pathak used to give their inputs directly to party chief Arvind Kejriwal earlier, suddenly it was the latter’s aides who were making key decisions. “Slowly and steadily, all my responsibilities were taken away from me,” Pathak is reported to have confided in someone, going so far as to claim that the loss in the Delhi elections was because of the new set of advisers Kejriwal was relying on. Pathak didn’t respond to HT’s specific queries on this. However, addressing a press conference, he described his exit as “not personal”. The disenchantment extended into the functioning of the parliamentary party led by Sanjay Singh, an AAP Rajya Sabha MP. Long before Raghav Chadha went public with his complaints about not being allowed to speak in the Upper House, the group of 10 in the Rajya Sabha functioned as stand alone agents (apart from the seven in Punjab, AAP also had three MPs in the upper house from Delhi; one of these quit Friday). According to at least three of the seven MPs who resigned on Friday, they received no directions from the party about what issues to raise or what strategies to adopt inside Parliament. “I just speak and raise whatever I want to, no one tells me,’’ said Harbhajan Singh when asked about this during the budget session. The fact that the party’s choice for Chaddha’s replacement as deputy leader in RS, Ashok Mittal, also joined the BJP on Friday, highlights how Kejriwal miscalculated the extent of the drift in his party. “So many people from AAP keep contacting us too,’’ said Punjab Congress MP Amar Singh. “ People want to leave it. AAP won’t be able to find candidates in the state.” The fact that the seven MPs were looking for alternatives to the AAP is also corroborated by an Akali Dal functionary, who said that one of the seven met Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal recently. “Most of these people are those that are in Rajya Sabha because they can fund an election,’’ he said. “And if you are in a party because of your money power, then you will go with whoever has influence.” While the BJP is showcasing the defections as an instance of the appeal it has, insiders in the AAP point out that this was more about the younger party’s organisational problems. For instance, six of its councillors in Chandigarh recently quit to join the Congress. Happenings in Punjab seem to have tipped the balance. Two of the MPs who quit, said on the condition of anonymity that Chadha and others led a large group of Punjab lawmakers to meet Kejriwal sometime in 2024. “They had come to Delhi and camped here, and told Kejriwal that the Punjab government wasn’t being run properly,’’ said one . At the time, Sanjay Singh had dismissed these as being part of the Punjab Opposition’s propaganda. However, soon after, Chadha began to lose his former influence within the party. First, he lost his allotted quarters in Punjab, then his security cover, and finally, his office in Punjab Bhavan in Delhi. Kejriwal put his weight behind Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership in the state. HT learnt that the BJP’s decision to provide a home for these disgruntled MPs was taken when Union home minister Amit Shah visited Punjab and held a rally in Moga last month. But whether this move will really help the party in Punjab is debatable, said political leaders. “The thing about Punjab voters is that they are a different lot. They don’t like “gaddars” (traitors). I have a feeling that this may end up helping AAP,’’ said a Congress MP from the state. He pointed out that none of the seven really had a voter base which the BJP could draw upon. However, there are two immediate advantages that the BJP is counting on. One, its numbers are boosted in Parliament. And two, the defections may buoy the party’s image ahead of the crucial second phase of elections in West Bengal. There’s also the likely medium-term benefit of Chadha and the others being able to get some of AAP’s legislators in Punjab to defect. Still, a BJP minister accepted that to do well in Punjab, they will have to do much more. “Does it mean that they (the defectors) will help us win Punjab? No, I think we will have to work hard there,’’ he said. Apart from external issues, the party will also have to address internal ones. The current BJP Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar resigned from his post in 2024, only to be cajoled into staying . Veteran leader Captain Amarinder Singh has spoken of how the BJP’s functioning is tough for people like him. The party now has to deal with a new set of turncoats whom it has to accommodate. But the BJP has always enjoyed solving problems of plenty. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sunetra Choudhury Sunetra Choudhury is the National Political Editor of the Hindustan Times. With over two decades of experience in print and television, she has authored Black Warrant (Roli,2019), Behind Bars: Prison Tales of India’s Most Famous (Roli,2017) and Braking News (Hachette, 2010). Sunetra is the recipient of the Red Ink award in journalism in 2016 and Mary Morgan Hewett award in 2018.Read More Bjp Arvind Kejriwal Aam Aadmi Party Check India news real-time updates, latest news from India and PM Modi address LIVE News/India News/Shocking... But Not Surprising: The Tale Of A Rebellion Foretold See LessNew Delhi: The scale of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) exits—seven members of Parliament at one go, with at least three joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) —may have taken everyone by surprise on Friday, but it was a chronicle of defections foretold.
The story, people familiar with the matter say, began in 2024 with two developments: preparations for the Delhi elections kicked off, and some AAP leaders were not happy with how their government in Punjab was functioning. All seven Rajya Sabha members from Punjab are from the AAP. Six of them were among the seven who quit the party on Friday. Punjab, which has an AAP government, goes to polls in early 2027.
One of them is Sandeep Pathak, the IIT academic who initially served as an in-house election strategist for the AAP. Pathak played a key role during the Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections, crunching data to decide which candidates made the list.
However, all this changed by the time the Delhi elections came around. While professionals such as Pathak used to give their inputs directly to party chief Arvind Kejriwal earlier, suddenly it was the latter’s aides who were making key decisions. “Slowly and steadily, all my responsibilities were taken away from me,” Pathak is reported to have confided in someone, going so far as to claim that the loss in the Delhi elections was because of the new set of advisers Kejriwal was relying on.
Pathak didn’t respond to HT’s specific queries on this. However, addressing a press conference, he described his exit as “not personal”.
The disenchantment extended into the functioning of the parliamentary party led by Sanjay Singh, an AAP Rajya Sabha MP. Long before Raghav Chadha went public with his complaints about not being allowed to speak in the Upper House, the group of 10 in the Rajya Sabha functioned as stand alone agents (apart from the seven in Punjab, AAP also had three MPs in the upper house from Delhi; one of these quit Friday).
According to at least three of the seven MPs who resigned on Friday, they received no directions from the party about what issues to raise or what strategies to adopt inside Parliament.
“I just speak and raise whatever I want to, no one tells me,’’ said Harbhajan Singh when asked about this during the budget session. The fact that the party’s choice for Chaddha’s replacement as deputy leader in RS, Ashok Mittal, also joined the BJP on Friday, highlights how Kejriwal miscalculated the extent of the drift in his party.
“So many people from AAP keep contacting us too,’’ said Punjab Congress MP Amar Singh. “ People want to leave it. AAP won’t be able to find candidates in the state.”
The fact that the seven MPs were looking for alternatives to the AAP is also corroborated by an Akali Dal functionary, who said that one of the seven met Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal recently. “Most of these people are those that are in Rajya Sabha because they can fund an election,’’ he said. “And if you are in a party because of your money power, then you will go with whoever has influence.”
While the BJP is showcasing the defections as an instance of the appeal it has, insiders in the AAP point out that this was more about the younger party’s organisational problems. For instance, six of its councillors in Chandigarh recently quit to join the Congress.
Happenings in Punjab seem to have tipped the balance. Two of the MPs who quit, said on the condition of anonymity that Chadha and others led a large group of Punjab lawmakers to meet Kejriwal sometime in 2024.
“They had come to Delhi and camped here, and told Kejriwal that the Punjab government wasn’t being run properly,’’ said one . At the time, Sanjay Singh had dismissed these as being part of the Punjab Opposition’s propaganda. However, soon after, Chadha began to lose his former influence within the party. First, he lost his allotted quarters in Punjab, then his security cover, and finally, his office in Punjab Bhavan in Delhi.
Kejriwal put his weight behind Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership in the state.
HT learnt that the BJP’s decision to provide a home for these disgruntled MPs was taken when Union home minister Amit Shah visited Punjab and held a rally in Moga last month. But whether this move will really help the party in Punjab is debatable, said political leaders.
“The thing about Punjab voters is that they are a different lot. They don’t like “gaddars” (traitors). I have a feeling that this may end up helping AAP,’’ said a Congress MP from the state.
He pointed out that none of the seven really had a voter base which the BJP could draw upon. However, there are two immediate advantages that the BJP is counting on. One, its numbers are boosted in Parliament. And two, the defections may buoy the party’s image ahead of the crucial second phase of elections in West Bengal.
There’s also the likely medium-term benefit of Chadha and the others being able to get some of AAP’s legislators in Punjab to defect. Still, a BJP minister accepted that to do well in Punjab, they will have to do much more. “Does it mean that they (the defectors) will help us win Punjab? No, I think we will have to work hard there,’’ he said.
Apart from external issues, the party will also have to address internal ones. The current BJP Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar resigned from his post in 2024, only to be cajoled into staying . Veteran leader Captain Amarinder Singh has spoken of how the BJP’s functioning is tough for people like him. The party now has to deal with a new set of turncoats whom it has to accommodate. But the BJP has always enjoyed solving problems of plenty.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Aam Aadmi Party,Bharatiya Janata Party,AAP government,Sandeep Pathak,Raghav Chadha,BJP
No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka: Minister Khader No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka: Minister Khader Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:51:09 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Bengaluru, Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader on Monday assured the public that there was no
8 hours ago
‘You endorse misogyny, cut the crap’: Shehzad Poonawalla joins BJP attack on Rahul Gandhi's ‘smash patriarchy’ call Shehzad Poonawalla and BJP were responding to Rahul Gandhi's call to "smash the patriarchy" during his party's 'Chhatro ki Goonj' programme in Pune. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026
11 hours ago
For Delhi-NCR residents, Guleria struck a reassuring note while explaining why this year’s wave has felt worse, but citizens need not panic The H1N1 virus driving Delhi-NCR’s current flu surge appears to be changing its structure — a process that is making it spread faster and slip past the
11 hours ago
A job applicant’s unusual rejection from a software engineering internship has left the internet divided after the candidate was reportedly turned down over the name of their resume file. The incident was highlighted in a now-viral post on X by user @adnaannasir_
11 hours ago
Elderly woman killed, husband injured in SUV hit-and-run at Delhi's posh GK-1 The woman, identified as Shashi, was declared brought dead at the hospital, while her husband Kulbhushan (65), was left injured. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:00:26 IST By HT News Desk Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
11 hours ago
Woman reflects on high-rise living in big cities: ‘Even the slice of the sky is fixed for us’ A woman shared her thoughts on high-rise life, saying big-city living can feel confined despite better work opportunities. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
11 hours ago
Governor Abdullah Sarhadi gives money to treat a boy's broken arm and hands out funds for a local mosque - then, in his office in northern Afghanistan, an astonishing exchange unfolds. A young woman tells the grey-bearded former Taliban commander that she wants to divorce her husband
11 hours ago
Andy Burnham is marking his first foreign visit as prime minister with a trip to Kyiv - and will hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles. The prime minister will chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing"
11 hours ago
Apple’s next iPhone launch is getting closer, and the company’s usual September schedule is beginning to take shape. According to a recent Forbes report, Apple could hold its special event on Wednesday, September 9, where it is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
11 hours ago
Fugitive gangster Goldy Brar has, in an audio clip, purportedly claimed responsibility for the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, The Indian Express reported. The newspaper said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio clip
11 hours ago
Dad crashes daughter’s late-night work meeting over parcels: ‘Ek paise ki saving nahi karti’ A father’s surprise appearance during his daughter’s work call turns into a lecture on spending and saving. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 10:56:44 IST By Vaishali Kapila Prefer HTon Google Share via
11 hours ago
A Zimbabwean content creator’s tongue-in-cheek take on life in India has caught the attention of social media users after he shared 10 everyday conveniences that have completely changed his standard of living. From paying for almost everything with just a phone to having food
11 hours ago
Starting September 1, passengers traveling internationally will be required to use an e-boarding pass on their smartphones for immigration clearance, as announced by immigration authorities. This significant change comes as the Bureau of Immigration (BOI)
14 hours ago
The September 2026 US Visa Bulletin brings a mixed picture for Indian green card applicants. While some family-sponsored categories have moved forward, several employment-based categories remain severely constrained, with two India-specific categories listed as unavailable and the State Department
14 hours ago
The Maharashtra Transport Department has issued notices to 777 drivers for lacking practical knowledge of Marathi, The Hindu quoted unidentified officials as saying on Saturday. A total of 5,211 drivers were tested during a statewide inspection campaign that began on August 20, including 3
14 hours ago
19-year-old killed, friend injured after truck hits motorcycle on Delhi's Indraprastha flyover A police team reached the spot and found a motorcycle lying in a damaged condition and two people seriously injured. One of them died in the hospital. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026
14 hours ago
Indian woman reveals why her family returned to India after 13 years in US: ‘You don’t really belong here’ A woman shared five reasons her family decided to leave the US and return to India after 13 years. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:43:56 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HTon Google
14 hours ago
New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv on Monday: office New UK PM Andy Burnham to make visit to Kyiv on Monday: office Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:41:28 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit Kyiv on Monday on his first international
14 hours ago
Bengaluru vs Gurgaon? Man who lived in both cities explains why the comparison is ‘completely pointless’ A man said the Bengaluru versus Gurgaon debate was pointless and urged people to live in both cities before deciding. Published on: Aug 24, 2026
14 hours ago
Circle Wealth CIO and Managing Partner Chadha said the market was rewarding companies with strong earnings and improving outlooks, even as large-cap stocks remained under pressure. Diwali season is expected to bring a fresh boost for Indian equities following strong corporate earnings
14 hours ago
The restriction was imposed under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which governs the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics. The central government on Saturday restricted the manufacturing, sale and distribution of all fixed-dose combinations (FDCs)
14 hours ago
Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low Ukraine backers gather as war escalates, air defence runs low Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:41:29 IST AFP Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ukraine on Monday hosts a meeting of its key European backers to press for critical
14 hours ago
'Trouble proving citizenship after representing India in 3 countries': Ex-envoy to ECI over Punjab SIR Suri served as India’s ambassador to the UAE and Egypt and high commissioner to Australia. Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 07:34:33 IST By HT Correspondent Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link
14 hours ago
2 killed after illegal building in Hyderabad's Gachibowli caves in Officials alleged that the building was built over or adjacent to a drain without the required permissions. Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:41:02 IST By Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link At least two
1 days ago
J'khand: Compensation of ₹31 lakh each given to families of 3 engineers burnt alive at steel plant J'khand: Compensation of ₹31 lakh each given to families of 3 engineers burnt alive at steel plant Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:43:04 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ramgarh
1 days ago
Jaiñtia Hills to the G7: Can Meghalaya turn ‘Lakadong’ into a global brand? The high-curcumin turmeric has gone from an obscure hill crop to a GI-tagged premium product showcased before world leaders. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:48:20 IST By David Laitphlang
1 days ago
Ex-NRI shares why she takes auto for 1 km ride to gym after moving to India: 'Life here is a compromise' The woman shared that she has to walk through an area where "everybody stares", while the pathway is "ubad-khabad", dirty and encroached. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
