Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs Merge with BJP, Boosting NDA Majority in Upper House

On 24 April 2026 , seven out of ten members of the AAP in the Rajya Sabha announced their merger with the BJP . The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha accepted the claim, raising the BJP’s strength in the Upper House to 113 seats and pushing the combined strength of the NDA above the halfway mark for the first time. Key Developments Seven AAP legislators — including Raghav Chadha , Sandeep Pathak and Swati Maliwal — formally merged with the BJP . The merger was accepted by the Rajya Sabha Chairman, increasing BJP’s seat count to 113. The combined strength of the NDA now exceeds the 50 % threshold in the Upper House for the first time. The move has triggered a legal challenge by the AAP on the interpretation of the Tenth Schedule and the anti-defection law . Important Facts The Tenth Schedule allows a party merger only if at least two‑thirds of its legislators consent. In 2023, the Supreme Court of India clarified that the legislature party and the political party are distinct entities; the two‑thirds rule applies to the legislature party, not merely to party members. The seven AAP legislators argue that their move satisfies the merger exception, a contention currently before the courts. Historically, large‑scale defections have destabilised elected governments, exposing the limited deterrent effect of the anti‑defection law. The present episode underscores the law’s vulnerability when political calculations override constitutional intent. UPSC Relevance This development touches upon several core areas of the UPSC syllabus: GS 2 – Polity: Understanding the functioning of the Rajya Sabha , party dynamics, and the role of the NDA in legislative business. GS 2 – Constitutional Provisions: Interpretation of the Tenth Schedule and its judicial pronouncements. GS 4 – Ethics: The ethical implications of party‑hopping, the credibility of anti‑defection legislation, and the impact on democratic accountability. GS 2 – Judiciary: The role of the Supreme Court in resolving political disputes and safeguarding constitutional provisions. Way Forward To strengthen the anti‑defection framework, policymakers may consider: Amending the Tenth Schedule to tighten the merger clause, perhaps requiring a higher threshold or additional procedural safeguards. Establishing a fast‑track judicial mechanism for speedy adjudication of defection cases, ensuring that legislative stability is not compromised by prolonged litigation. Promoting internal party democracy to reduce the incentive for legislators to switch allegiance for personal gain, thereby enhancing the ethical standards of political conduct. These steps would reinforce the constitutional intent of the anti‑defection law and preserve the sanctity of the electorate’s mandate.