Indian politician Raghav Chadha has reportedly faced a strong backlash on social media after announcing his decision to leave the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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The Rajya Sabha member, who is also the husband of Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra, saw a sharp decline in his Instagram following shortly after the announcement. According to reports, more than one million users unfollowed him within 24 hours, reflecting widespread public reaction to his political move.
#RaghavChadha addresses backlash on joining #BJP in new video, cites ‘toxic work environment’ in #AAP
Read here 🔗https://t.co/eQ7dny1GD2 pic.twitter.com/Ggy1GZzIWF
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) April 27, 2026
Data suggests that Chadha had around 14.2 million followers before the announcement, which later dropped to nearly 12.5 million — indicating a loss of approximately 1.7 million followers. The development quickly became a trending topic across social media platforms, where users expressed mixed opinions, with many criticising the shift.
Party members from AAP also reacted strongly. Spokesperson Sanjeev Jha stated that supporters and volunteers began unfollowing Chadha as a response to what they viewed as a betrayal of party principles. He added that the decision had not been well received among the party’s core base.
Reports further indicate that Chadha is among several AAP lawmakers who have recently joined the BJP, signaling a broader political shift that could impact party dynamics in India’s political landscape.
While political realignments are not uncommon, the scale of the online response highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping public perception. Analysts note that follower counts and digital engagement are increasingly seen as indicators of political sentiment, particularly among younger audiences.
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Neither Chadha nor BJP officials have issued a detailed response to the backlash so far, but the development continues to generate debate across political and public spheres.