It is not just corporate employees who feel stuck in toxic work environments. The issue of unhealthy workplace culture has now entered politics as well. Raghav Chadha on Monday addressed criticism over
his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, explaining why he chose to leave the Aam Aadmi Party.
In a video shared on Instagram, Chadha said his move was driven by concerns over what he described as a toxic work environment within his former party, AAP.
‘Toxic environment’ in AAP
Raghav Chadha said that the situation inside the Aam Aadmi Party had changed significantly over time. He claimed that the party now has a toxic work culture, making it difficult for members to function effectively.
He alleged that voices within the party were being restricted, adding that members were being stopped from speaking in Parliament and from carrying out their work.
“There is a toxic work environment in AAP now. I am not here to make my career in politics. I gave 15 years of my prime youth to a particular party. You are censored from speaking in Parliament and doing work. This party is now in some corrupt hands,” he said.
Chadha said he had been receiving a large number of messages since announcing his move. “For the past three days, I have been getting a lot of messages from all of you. Most of you are giving me best wishes and congratulating me, while some want to know the reasons behind my decision,” he said.
Describing himself as a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party, he said he had devoted 15 years of his youth to building the organisation.
“I didn’t come into politics to make my career. I became a founding member of a political party. I gave 15 years of my prime youth to this party with my blood, sweat, and a lot of hard work,” he said.
He added that the party had changed and was no longer the same as before. “Today, this party is no longer the old party. Today, this party has a toxic work environment. You are stopped from working. You are stopped from speaking in the parliament,” he said.
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Why he joined BJP
Explaining his shift, Chadha said he increasingly felt out of place within the party and described himself as “the right man, but in the wrong party”.
He said he had considered several options, including leaving politics, trying to reform the party from within, or moving to another platform. He ultimately chose to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Chadha also pointed out that his decision was not taken alone. “Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six—seven MPs have decided to break their relationship with this political party,” he said, adding, “One person can be wrong, two people can be wrong, but not seven people can be wrong.”
Raghav Chada rejects claims of pressure from BJP
Responding to criticism that his exit was driven by pressure or fear, Chadha rejected the allegation. He said the decision was based on “disappointment, disenchantment, and disgust”.
He added that he would continue to remain active in public life. “I will continue to raise your problems with more energy and enthusiasm,” he said.
Social media backlash
Raghav Chadha’s move has also triggered a strong reaction online. Within 24 hours of announcing his exit from the Aam Aadmi Party and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, he reportedly lost more than one million followers on Instagram. The number later rose to around two million.
Several of his supporters criticised his decision, while old video clips and past statements in which he had criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party resurfaced online, further intensifying the debate around his political shift.
Raghav Chadha and six other Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs quit the party last Friday and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, marking a significant development in the political landscape.
