---
title: "Three AAP MLAs Join BJP Ahead of Punjab Elections"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/three-aap-mlas-join-bjp-ahead-of-punjab-elections"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/three-aap-mlas-join-bjp-ahead-of-punjab-elections"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/three-aap-mlas-join-bjp-ahead-of-punjab-elections.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/three-aap-mlas-join-bjp-ahead-of-punjab-elections"
category: "Politics"
area: "India"
published: "2026-11-02T08:45:41.606Z"
source_reported: "2026-11-02T08:04:16.000Z"
updated: "2026-11-02T08:45:41.606Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 60
hype_score: 55
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-11-02T09:45:13.120133+00:00"
---

# Three AAP MLAs Join BJP Ahead of Punjab Elections

*Defections occur after AAP announces candidate list, prompting party to seek membership cancellation.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 33 digests corroborate the central claim; one full report names specific reasons for defection.
- Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Most outlets use digests, limiting the depth of reporting. One report details specific allegations against an MLA.
- Hype 55 of 100, lower is better. Headlines emphasize 'setback' and 'jolt' for AAP, with some using loaded language like 'rebel'.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday.
- The MLAs cited internal disagreements and governance issues as reasons for their defection.
- The move occurred after the AAP announced its initial list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
- The AAP has requested the Punjab Assembly Speaker to cancel the membership of the defecting MLAs.

Three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh formally joined the BJP at its headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. The defecting MLAs stated internal disagreements and governance issues as reasons for their move. Their departure follows the AAP's announcement of its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The AAP has initiated steps to address the defections, approaching the Punjab Assembly Speaker to request the cancellation of the membership of the MLAs who have switched parties. Reports indicate that Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Chetan Singh Jouramajra had been suspended from the AAP for alleged anti-party activities prior to submitting their resignations.

## Disagreements on timing of resignations and suspensions

One India reported that Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Chetan Singh Jouramajra resigned from the AAP on Sunday, the day after the party announced its candidate list. The Economic Times stated that Pathanmajra and Jouramajra resigned from AAP on Sunday, November 1, and that neither of their constituencies featured in the party's first list of 40 candidates. The Economic Times also reported that the AAP had suspended both MLAs over alleged anti-party activities before they resigned. One India stated that both leaders had already been suspended over alleged anti-party activities before submitting their resignations.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated digests mention the rape case allegations against Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra that were reported by The Economic Times. None of the left or centre-rated digests mention the specific details of the AAP's candidate list announcement or which constituencies were not included, as reported by The Economic Times.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 15% (2)
- Centre: 16% (2)
- Right: 69% (9)

26 of 39 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-02T09:45:13.120133+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-02T10:15:10.899Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports from One India and The Hindu focused on the timing of the defections in relation to the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. One India highlighted the move as a setback for the AAP and detailed the reasons cited by the MLAs, including internal disagreements and governance issues. It also reported the AAP's action to seek the cancellation of the defecting MLAs' membership, noting their prior suspension for alleged anti-party activities. The Hindu's digest stated that the MLAs cited unfulfilled promises and that the AAP criticised the BJP for recruiting defectors.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports from The Economic Times and Hindustan Times framed the defections as a significant blow to the AAP ahead of the 2027 elections. The Economic Times provided extensive detail, including that Pathanmajra and Jouramajra resigned after their constituencies were not included in the AAP's candidate list. It also reported on a rape case registered against Pathanmajra and his alleged evasion of arrest. Hindustan Times' digest noted the MLAs raised slogans of 'BJP Zindabad' upon joining the party.

### Right

- The right-rated reports from rediff.com, Moneycontrol, aninews.in, Times of India, India TV News, ABP News, India Today, and Tribune India consistently described the event as a setback or jolt to the AAP before the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls. Several digests noted that the MLAs had resigned from the party prior to joining the BJP. India Today's digest included the phrase 'No Punjabiyat left in Punjab' in its headline and reported the MLAs attacked the Mann government. Tribune India noted these were the first poll-season defections for the AAP.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 7
- high: 4
- unknown: 26
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Pragativadi: Leading Odia Dailly](https://pragativadi.com/aap-mlas-join-bjp-punjab-elections-amid-changes) — Major Blow to A 3 Punjab Leaders Join BJP Ahead of 2027 Assembly Polls
- [madhyamamonline.com](https://madhyamamonline.com/india/3-aap-mlas-join-bjp-ahead-of-punjab-assembly-elections-1568487) — 3 AAP MLAs join BJP ahead of Punjab Assembly elections
- [Yes Punjab](https://yespunjab.com/three-punjab-aap-mlas-join-bjp-ahead-of-2027-assembly-elections) — Three Punjab AAP MLAs Join BJP Ahead of 2027 Assembly Elections
- [Indian Abroad News - We Bring You Home](https://indianabroad.news/politics-has-become-joke-congress-criticises-aap-as-3-punjab-mlas-quit-party-join-bjp) — 'Politics has become joke’: Congress criticises AAP as 3 Punjab MLAs quit party, join BJP
- [Zoom News](https://zoomnews.in/en/news-detail/aap-suffers-major-setback-ahead-of-punjab-polls-as-three-rebel-mlas-join-bjp.html) — Aap suffers major setback ahead of Punjab polls as three rebel MLAs join bjp
- [TV9 Kannada](https://tv9kannada.com/national/punjab-politics-3-aap-mlas-join-bjp-power-shift-ahead-of-2027-elections-1257942.html) — BJP to Akhada for 2027 Punjab Election? Three AAP Lawmakers Head to Kamala
- [Hindi Samachar : Latest News in Hindi, Breaking News in Hindi](https://aajsamaaj.com/politics/aap-3-rebel-leaders-kunwar-vijay-pratap-singh-with-harmeet-singh-pathanmajra-and-chetan-singh-jouramajra-join-bjp-ahead-of-the-2027-punjab-assembly-elections/543205) — Punjab Assembly Elections 2027: A Shock to AAP Before Election, 3 Rebel Leaders Join BJP, Why Did They Leave Aam Aadmi Party
- [KalingaTV](https://kalingatv.com/nation/punjab-3-aap-mlas-join-bjp-ahead-of-polls) — Punjab: 3 AAP MLAs Join BJP Ahead Of Polls
- [One India](https://oneindia.com/india/aap-faces-trouble-ahead-of-punjab-assembly-elections-2027-as-three-mlas-join-bjp-8248469.html) — AAP Faces Trouble Ahead Of Punjab Assembly Elections 2027 As Three MLAs Join BJP
- [madhyamam.com](https://madhyamam.com/india/aap-mlas-join-bjp-punjab-1568454) — AAP Suffers Major Setback in Punjab; Three MLAs Resign and Join BJP | Punjab AAP Leaders Join BJP
- [rediff.com](https://rediff.com/news/report/setback-for-aap-as-3-punjab-mlas-join-bjp-ahead-of-2027-polls/20261102.htm) — Setback for AAP as 3 Punjab MLAs join BJP ahead of 2027 polls
- [NEWS9 LIVE](https://news9live.com/india/huge-blow-to-aap-ahead-of-punjab-polls-as-3-mlas-join-bjp-3021052) — Huge blow to AAP ahead of 2027 Punjab polls as 3 MLAs join BJP
- [timelinedaily.com](https://timelinedaily.com/india/3-sitting-aap-mlas-resign-join-bjp-ahead-of-punjab-assembly-elections-2027) — 3 Sitting AAP MLAs Resign, Join BJP Ahead Of Punjab Assembly Elections 2027
- [Lagatar English](https://lagatar24.com/setback-for-aap-ahead-of-punjab-polls-three-mlas-join-bjp) — Setback for AAP Ahead of Punjab Polls: Three MLAs Join BJP
- [News Nation](https://newsnationtv.com/india/punjab-three-aap-mlas-joined-bjp-ahead-of-assembly-elections-vijay-pratap-chetan-singh-harmeet-singh-12775363) — Three Rebel AAP MLAs Joined the BJP Ahead of the Punjab Assembly Elections and Joined the Party in Delhi.
- [thepamphlet.in](https://thepamphlet.in/punjab-politics-heats-up-ahead-of-2027-assembly-elections-as-three-aap-mlas-join-bjp) — Punjab politics heats up ahead of 2027 Assembly Elections as three AAP MLAs join BJP
- [Hindustan Post Hindi](https://hindusthanpost.com/politics-news-hindi/major-setback-for-aap-in-punjab-3-mlas-join-the-bjp-kunwar-vijay-pratap-resigns-from-the-legislative-assembly-as-well) — AAP Suffers Major Setback in Punjab, 3 MLAs Join BJP, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Also Resigns From the Assembly
- [Mangalorean.com](https://mangalorean.com/rebel-punjab-aap-mlas-join-bjp-months-ahead-of-assembly-polls) — Rebel Punjab AAP MLAs join BJP months ahead of Assembly polls
- [bhaskarlive.in](https://bhaskarlive.in/others/rebel-punjab-aap-mlas-join-bjp-months-ahead-of-assembly-polls-2160493) — Rebel Punjab AAP MLAs join BJP months ahead of Assembly polls
- [Social News XYZ](https://socialnews.xyz/2026/11/02/rebel-punjab-aap-mlas-join-bjp-months-ahead-of-assembly-polls) — Rebel Punjab AAP MLAs join BJP months ahead of Assembly polls
- [navbharatlive.com](https://navbharatlive.com/punjab/punjab-aap-three-mlas-join-bjp-kunwar-vijay-pratap-harmeet-pathanmajra-chetan-jouramajra-ars24) — Why Did Three AAP MLAs in Punjab Leave the Party and Join the BJP Ahead of the Assembly Elections?
- [The News 21 - Latest News, Breaking News, Today's Headlines & more](https://thenews21.com/three-aap-leaders-join-bjp-punjab-2027-elections) — Three AAP MLAs Join BJP in Punjab Ahead of 2027 Assembly Elections, Deal Major Blow to Arvind Kejriwal’s Party
- [Unknown](https://hindi.pardaphash.com/a-major-setback-for-the-aap-ahead-of-the-punjab-assembly-elections-three-mlas-kunwar-vijay-chetan-singh-and-harmeet-have-joined-the-bjp) — A Major Setback for AAP Ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections, Three MLAs Kunwar Vijay, Chetan Singh and Harmeet Joined BJP.
- [The Hindu](https://thehindu.com/news/national/punjab/three-aap-mlas-join-bjp-in-punjab/article71655539.ece) — Three AAP MLAs join BJP in Punjab
- [Moneycontrol](https://moneycontrol.com/news/india/punjab-aap-mlas-switch-to-bjp-who-are-they-and-why-did-they-quit-14066144.html) — Punjab AAP MLAs switch to BJP: Who are they and why did they quit?
- [TV9 Hindi](https://tv9hindi.com/india/punjab-politics-aap-bjp-kunwar-vijay-pratap-singh-harmeet-singh-pathanmajra-chetan-singh-jouramajra-3952017.html) — A Blow to AAP Before Punjab Elections, Three Rebel MLAs Join BJP
- [Mathrubhumi](https://mathrubhumi.com/news/india/punjab-elections-aap-crisis-mlas-resign-bjp-s0xhuzdy) — Dissension in Punjab AAP; Three MLAs Resign From Membership and Join BJP
- [aninews.in](https://aninews.in/news/national/politics/major-jolt-to-aap-rebel-leaders-kunwar-vijay-pratap-pathanmajra-and-jouramajra-join-bjp-ahead-of-2027-punjab-polls20261102115046) — Major jolt to A Rebel leaders Kunwar Vijay Pratap, Pathanmajra, and Jouramajra join BJP ahead of 2027 Punjab polls
- [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/punjab-poll-shake-up-3-aap-mlas-join-bjp-to-give-kejriwal-partys-a-jolt-before-2027-elections/articleshow/135447973.cms) — Punjab poll shake-up: 3 AAP MLAs join BJP to give Kejriwal party's a jolt before 2027 elections
- [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/punjab-poll-shake-up-3-aap-mlas-join-bjp-to-give-kejriwal-partys-a-jolt-before-2027-elections/articleshow/135447973.cms) — Punjab poll shake-up: 3 AAP MLAs join BJP to give Kejriwal party's a jolt before 2027 elections
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/india-news/big-blow-to-aap-as-three-mlas-resign-join-bjp-ahead-of-2027-assembly-polls-harmeet-singh-pathanmajra-chetan-singh-jouramajra-kunwar-vijay-prata-101793599396364.html) — Big blow to AAP as three MLAs join BJP ahead of 2027 Punjab Assembly elections
- [India TV Hindi Hindi](https://indiatv.in/india/politics/in-punjab-3-rebel-mlas-resigned-from-the-aam-aadmi-party-over-the-last-2-days-and-joined-the-bjp-today-2026-11-02-1252324) — In Punjab, 3 Rebel MLAs Left Aam Aadmi Party in 2 Days, Joined BJP Today - India TV Hindi
- [The Week](https://theweek.in/news/india/2026/11/02/punjab-suspended-aap-mlas-join-bjp.html) — Big setback for AAP ahead of Punjab polls; three suspended MLAs join BJP
- [India TV News](https://indiatvnews.com/news/india/bjp-gets-a-boost-in-punjab-as-three-aap-rebel-mlas-including-kunwar-vijay-pratap-switch-sides-latest-updates-2026-11-02-1058477) — BJP gets a boost in Punjab as three AAP rebel MLAs, including Kunwar Vijay Pratap, switch sides
- [Unknown](https://aajtak.in/elections/assembly-chunav/story/punjab-three-aam-admi-party-mla-vijay-pratap-chetan-singh-harmeet-singh-join-bjp-election-ntc-pvp-rpti-2686312-2026-11-02) — AAP Suffers Setback Ahead of Punjab Elections as Three MLAs Quit Party and Join BJP
- [ABP News](https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/india-political-setback-three-aap-mlas-quit-party-in-three-days-kunwar-vijay-pratap-joins-bjp-1874349) — Political Setback: Three AAP MLAs Quit Party in Three Days, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Joins BJP
- [uttamhindu.com](https://uttamhindu.com/the-three-mlas-who-left-the-aap-in-punjab-have-joined-the-bjp-they-took-party-membership-in-delhi) — Three MLAs Who Left AAP in Punjab Joined BJP and Took Party Membership in Delhi
- [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/india/story/punjab-two-aap-mlas-join-bjp-harmeet-singh-pathanmajra-chetan-singh-jouramajra-kunwar-vijay-pratap-singh-also-joins-3030347-2026-11-02) — No Punjabiyat left in Punjab: 3 AAP rebels join BJP, attack Mann government
- [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/3-punjab-aap-mlas-to-join-bjp-today-in-first-poll-season-defections) — 3 Punjab AAP MLAs Harmeet Pathanmajra, Chetan Jouramajra, Kunwar Vijay Pratap join BJP - The Tribune

## Questions

**Which three AAP MLAs joined the BJP?**

The three Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, and Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh. They formally joined the BJP on Monday in New Delhi.

**Why did the MLAs leave the AAP?**

The MLAs cited internal disagreements and governance issues within the Aam Aadmi Party as their reasons for defecting. Their move occurred shortly after the AAP announced its first list of candidates for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

**What action has the AAP taken?**

The Aam Aadmi Party has approached the Punjab Assembly Speaker to request the cancellation of the membership of the three defecting MLAs. Reports indicate that two of the MLAs, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Chetan Singh Jouramajra, had already been suspended from the AAP for alleged anti-party activities.

---

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