Million drop: Raghav Chadha’s Instagram following plummets after BJP move

NEW DELHI: In a major blow to his digital influence, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has seen a massive backlash on social media following his exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to join the BJP. Within 24 hours of the announcement, Chadha’s Instagram following plummeted from 14.6 million to 13.5 million, signalling a sharp disconnect with his core audience.

This mass "unfollowing" suggests that Chadha’s move to the BJP has deeply disappointed young voters, particularly Gen Z. He had previously cultivated a reputation as a relatable, modern lawmaker by championing issues often ignored in mainstream politics—raising his voice in Parliament for parental leave, the rights of gig workers, and urban traffic congestion. His focus on these everyday governance issues frequently went viral, making him a digital icon for the youth.

The move marks a significant realignment in the Rajya Sabha, as Chadha led a group of seven AAP MPs in a formal merger with the BJP. Among those joining him in this shift are Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, and Vikram Sahney.