Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney stated on Friday that joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would allow him to serve Punjab and its people with greater dedication and effectiveness, supported by the Centre.
This announcement follows the decision of three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs-Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal-to join the BJP after severing ties with AAP. The MPs formally joined the BJP in the presence of Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
In a post on X, Sahney highlighted the difficult financial crisis and uncertain times facing Punjab. He wrote: “I believe that as part of the BJP, I will be able to serve Punjab and its people with greater dedication and effectiveness with support of the Centre. Punjab is not just a state-it is an emotion, a legacy, and a responsibility we all share. Today, that legacy is under strain. Our state is going through a difficult financial crisis and uncertain times, and it deeply pains me.”
He added that stronger cooperation between the Centre and states could aid Punjab's development. “I have always believed in cooperative federalism and strong Centre-State partnerships. I am convinced that by working together in this spirit, we can bring stability, growth, and hope back to Punjab. Everything I have done in public life has been guided by one principle-Punjab first. That is not just a statement, but a lifelong commitment,” he said.
Emphasising his international experience, Sahney said he remained committed to enhancing the global presence of both Punjab and India. “Being a Harvard Alumni and a former bureaucrat, and having represented India on global platforms as former Chair of SAARC CCI, Chair of the BRICS Agri Council and Member of India Africa CEOs Forum, Chair India Arab Council and President of the ICC Chamber of Commerce, Paris – India, I remain committed to elevating both Punjab and India’s voice on the world stage,” he stated.
At a press conference, Raghav Chadha announced that more than two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha members had decided to merge with the BJP. “We have decided that we, the two-thirds members belonging to the AAP in Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP,” Chadha said.
Chadha specified that AAP has 10 members in Rajya Sabha and that seven of them have chosen to leave the party and merge with the BJP. “Besides us, there are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal,” he added.