It is quite common for politicians to switch parties. However, when someone who has built a distinct image for himself in politics suddenly changes sides and appears no different from others, today’s youth don’t seem willing to accept it. Until recently, Raghav Chadha, an MP of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had been drawing attention with his active participation in debates on various issues in the Rajya Sabha. Recently, however, the AAP leadership removed him from the post of Deputy Floor Leader in the Rajya Sabha. This move surprised many. While he was actively questioning the central government on public issues, people wondered why AAP would take such a step. At the same time, reports suggested that AAP sensed Chadha was moving closer to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and that this may have influenced their decision. Now, that speculation appears to have come true.
On Friday, Chadha not only joined the BJP himself but also brought along six other Rajya Sabha MPs. Prior to this, a letter—reportedly signed by them—was submitted to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, indicating the merger of AAP’s Rajya Sabha group into the BJP. Since then, the development has become a hot topic in national politics. Soon after Chadha joined the BJP, old videos of him criticizing the same party while he was in AAP went viral on social media. In the past, he had reportedly described the BJP as a party of “uneducated goons.” Now that he has joined the same party, criticism has intensified, with many saying he has proven to be just another typical politician, with nothing particularly unique about him. The strongest reaction appears to be coming from Gen Z. Chadha, who enjoys a massive following on Instagram, saw a sharp drop in followers within just 24 hours of joining the BJP. His follower count reportedly fell by over one million—from around 14.6 million to 13.5 million between Friday and Saturday afternoon.
Political analysts believe this backlash reflects the disapproval of Gen Z audiences toward his decision. Reacting to the drop in followers, Aneesh Gawande, spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), remarked that the internet can turn someone into a hero overnight—and just as quickly reduce them to zero. On the other hand, some BJP supporters have argued on social media that There is no need for concern, claiming that BJP followers will eventually support him.However, one thing is clear: Chadha’s decision to switch parties has not gone down well with a large section of people, especially the youth.