In a significant political shift, seven Rajya Sabha MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have exited the party, including key strategists Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak. Their departure comes less than a year before the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, where AAP had previously achieved a historic victory in 2022. Chadha, who has been a prominent figure in AAP since its inception, and Pathak, known for his strategic acumen, have been seen as pivotal in shaping AAP's grassroots network. However, their influence has diminished following AAP's loss in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, leading to a shift in leadership focus towards Punjab from Delhi, particularly under Manish Sisodia. While some party insiders view their exit as a psychological setback, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has downplayed the significance, labeling the departing MPs as “non-mass leaders.” The BJP is anticipated to leverage this exit to undermine AAP's standing in Punjab, framing it as a sign of internal discord. By invoking the two-thirds merger provision of the Indian Constitution, Chadha and Pathak, along with other MPs, have joined the BJP while retaining their Rajya Sabha seats, potentially bolstering the BJP's position ahead of the elections.