Sandeep Pathak, a former professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) first national general secretary, has made headlines by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alongside six other Rajya Sabha MPs. His move is surprising to many, given his close relationship with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and his instrumental role in the party's electoral strategies, particularly during the 2020 Delhi and 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. Pathak, who holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge, was known for his expertise in data analysis and his ability to identify key candidates for organizational roles. However, insiders indicate that his influence has diminished over the past four years, particularly following AAP's electoral setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 Delhi Assembly polls. This shift in allegiance highlights the ongoing political realignments in India and raises questions about the future of AAP's strategy and leadership.