Days after quitting the Aam Aadmi Party and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha launched a scathing attack on his former party, alleging a toxic work environment and claiming it has strayed from its founding principles under Arvind Kejriwal.

In a video message shared on social media, Chadha said he increasingly felt like the "right man in the wrong party," adding that the AAP no longer allows leaders to function independently or voice their opinions freely, even in Parliament.

"I gave 15 years of my life—my blood, sweat, and hard work—to build this party. But today, it is no longer the same. There is a toxic work culture where you are stopped from working and even speaking," he said.

The former AAP leader also dismissed speculation that his exit was due to pressure, stating that the decision stemmed from "disappointment, disenchantment and disgust." He noted that his move was not isolated, pointing out that six other leaders also chose to quit.

"One or two people can be wrong, but seven people cannot be wrong," Chadha said, defending the collective decision to leave and join another political platform in pursuit of what he described as positive politics.

However, his remarks and political shift have triggered backlash online. Reports suggestChadha lost over a million followers on Instagram within a day of his announcement, with the number reportedly nearing two million as criticism mounted.

Meanwhile, the AAP has taken a strong stance against the defections, filing a petition before Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan seeking the disqualification of Chadha and six other MPs who exited the party. The party has also indicated that it may explore further legal options.

The development comes at a crucial juncture for the AAP, which is working to expand its presence in states like Punjab, Gujarat and Goa ahead of upcoming elections. Senior leader Manish Sisodia has reportedly held key discussions with Kejriwal to chart the party's response to the ongoing political churn.

Explaining his decision further, Chadha said the BJP would provide him with a better platform to pursue his goals and implement the causes he supports more effectively. He added that, despite the controversy, he would continue to raise public issues with renewed energy and commitment in his new political innings.

Reflecting on his journey, Chadha noted that he left a career as a Chartered Accountant to join politics and was a founding member of the AAP. However, he said the party had changed significantly over time and now suffers from a toxic environment where leaders are prevented from working and speaking freely.

He described being faced with three choices: quitting politics, staying back to try and reform the party, or moving to another platform to continue constructive political work. Ultimately, he said, he chose the third option.

"Think of it like a workplace—if the environment becomes toxic, how much work can you really do? If you are hindered, silenced, and unable to function, the right decision is to leave. That is what we did," Chadha said.

He also reassured the public that his political priorities remain unchanged, stating that he will continue to raise issues affecting ordinary citizens and work towards implementing solutions more effectively.