In a significant political shift, seven out of ten Rajya Sabha MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including prominent figures like Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak. This transition comes as Punjab prepares for elections in early 2027, with Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu taking jabs at Chadha, suggesting he was already doing BJP's work without formally joining. Bittu's remarks highlight the BJP's evolving strategy in Punjab, where it has historically struggled to gain a foothold. The BJP, which currently holds only two seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, aims to contest the upcoming elections independently, as announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This marks a departure from previous alliances, particularly with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which ended during the farmers' protests in 2020. Chadha, who was instrumental in AAP's victory in the 2022 Punjab elections, has expressed his commitment to the state, complicating his political future. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has dismissed the defectors as lacking relevance, suggesting that their departure will not significantly impact AAP's standing.