Scoreclever Logo
Scoreclever Editorial Analysis
Scoreclever Logo
Scoreclever Editorial Analysis | ea.scoreclever.com
Read More Editorials
The Hindu Editorial • April 28, 2026 • Read Original

Gang of seven: On the AAP defections

Large-scale defections have rendered the Tenth Schedule impotent

Scoreclever
Win Exams Cleverly
The Hindu Read Original
10 min read

Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on April 28, 2026

Gang of seven: On the AAP defections

Large-scale defections have rendered the Tenth Schedule impotent

AAP DefectionsTenth ScheduleAnti-Defection LawBharatiya Janata PartyRajya Sabha Merger
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 17
English Original

On April 24, seven of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s 10 Rajya Sabha members announced their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Simple Past Adjunct + Subject + Verb + Object Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
On April 24
A specific date when this event happened
Subject Who/What
seven of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s 10 Rajya Sabha members
The group of seven politicians from AAP who are members of the Rajya Sabha
Verb What is happening
announced
Formally told the public or authorities about something
Object What receives action
their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
The act of joining their original group with a different political party (BJP)
Context and Background
Merger Exception under Anti-Defection Law

The Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution allows a group of elected representatives to join another party without losing their seats, provided that at least two-thirds of the members of the original legislature party agree to the merger.

Sentence 2 of 17
English Original

The Rajya Sabha Chairman has accepted their claim of merger, raising the BJP’s strength in the Upper House to 113 and the combined strength of the National Democratic Alliance above the halfway mark for the first time.

Present Perfect S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause + Participle Phrase Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The Rajya Sabha Chairman
The head of the Upper House of Parliament (who is also the Vice President of India)
Verb What is happening
has accepted
Agreed to or approved something officially
Object What receives action
their claim of merger
The legal argument made by the seven members that they have merged with the BJP
Adjunct Additional info
raising the BJP’s strength in the Upper House to 113 and the combined strength of the National Democratic Alliance above the halfway mark for the first time
The result was that the BJP and its allies (NDA) now have more than half the total seats needed for a majority in the Rajya Sabha
Sentence 3 of 17
English Original

The episode highlights the nature of AAP, the crass opportunism of the turncoats, the machinations of the BJP, and the institutionalised defanging of the anti-defection law.

Simple Present S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The episode
The specific event of mass defection mentioned earlier
Verb What is happening
highlights
Makes something clear or draws attention to it
Object What receives action
the nature of AAP, the crass opportunism of the turncoats, the machinations of the BJP, and the institutionalised defanging of the anti-defection law
Four key things shown by this event: the true character of the party, the greed of those who left, the clever tricks of the BJP, and how the anti-defection law has been made weak
Sentence 4 of 17
English Original

Of the seven, Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Swati Maliwal were part of AAP in an organic manner, to the limited extent that it had an identity beyond the whims of its founder, Arvind Kejriwal.

Simple Past Adjunct + S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Of the seven
Referring back to the seven members who defected
Subject Who/What
Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Swati Maliwal
The names of the three senior and long-time members of AAP
Verb What is happening
were
Used to be or existed in a certain state
Complement Completes meaning
part of AAP in an organic manner
Members who grew with the party naturally over a long time, rather than joining recently for benefits
Adjunct Additional info
to the limited extent that it had an identity beyond the whims of its founder, Arvind Kejriwal
Only as much as the party could exist independently of the personal choices or moods of its leader
Sentence 5 of 17
English Original

For the other four, their exit is as opportunistic as their entries into AAP were.

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + C Main Clause + Comparative Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
For the other four
Referring to the remaining four members of the group of seven
Subject Who/What
their exit
The act of these four members leaving the AAP
Verb What is happening
is
Represents a state of reality
Complement Completes meaning
as opportunistic as their entries into AAP were
Meaning they joined the party only for benefits and are now leaving for the same reason
Sentence 6 of 17
English Original

Mr. Kejriwal used to taunt the Congress for losing its legislators to the BJP in several States, as symptomatic of the erosion of its ethical responsibility.

Past Habitual S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Mr. Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal, the founder and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party
Verb What is happening
used to taunt
Used to make fun of or insult someone in a repetitive way in the past
Object What receives action
the Congress
The Indian National Congress party
Adjunct Additional info
for losing its legislators to the BJP in several States
The reason for the taunts: Congress MLAs and MPs leaving to join the BJP
Adjunct Additional info
as symptomatic of the erosion of its ethical responsibility
Saying it was a sign that the Congress party had lost its moral standards
Sentence 7 of 17
English Original

But a relentless campaign of anarchy in pursuit of power exposed the true character of AAP as a far cry from its grand claims.

Simple Past Adjunct + S + V + O + C Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
But
A word used to show contrast with the previous sentence
Subject Who/What
a relentless campaign of anarchy in pursuit of power
Continuous actions causing disorder and lawlessness just to gain political power
Verb What is happening
exposed
Revealed something that was previously hidden or secret
Object What receives action
the true character of AAP
The real personality or moral quality of the party
Complement Completes meaning
as a far cry from its grand claims
Very different and much worse than the big promises it made
Sentence 8 of 17
English Original

The disintegration of its Rajya Sabha contingent is the culmination of the cynicism and opportunism on which AAP thrived, imposing a heavy cost on the democratic institutions of India.

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause + Participle Phrase Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The disintegration of its Rajya Sabha contingent
The breaking apart or loss of the group of AAP members in the Rajya Sabha
Verb What is happening
is
Represents a definitive state
Complement Completes meaning
the culmination of the cynicism and opportunism on which AAP thrived
The final result of using clever but selfish tricks that the party used to grow
Adjunct Additional info
imposing a heavy cost on the democratic institutions of India
Causing serious damage to how democracy works in the country
Sentence 9 of 17
English Original

It reaped what it sowed.

Simple Past S + V + O Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
It
Referring to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Verb What is happening
reaped
Got a result (usually as a consequence of past actions)
Object What receives action
what it sowed
The actions it carried out in the past
Sentence 10 of 17
English Original

That is no reason to ignore the brazen misinterpretation — invoked by the gang of seven and accepted by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha — of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which bars the defection of elected representatives from their original party.

Simple Present S + V + C Main Clause + Relative Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
That
Referring to the reasons or context mentioned in the previous sentences
Verb What is happening
is
Does not represent or constitute
Complement Completes meaning
no reason to ignore the brazen misinterpretation — invoked by the gang of seven and accepted by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha — of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which bars the defection of elected representatives from their original party
Not a justification for following a very wrong translation of the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule) which actually stops politicians from switching parties
Sentence 11 of 17
English Original

The merger exception in the Schedule is clear that a party can merge with another, subject to the concurrence of two-thirds of its legislators.

Simple Present S + V + C Main Clause + Complement Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The merger exception in the Schedule
The special rule in the Tenth Schedule that allows parties to join together
Verb What is happening
is
Represents a fact or state
Complement Completes meaning
clear that a party can merge with another, subject to the concurrence of two-thirds of its legislators
Very easy to understand that a merger is valid only if 66% (two-thirds) of the elected members agree
Sentence 12 of 17
English Original

In 2023, the Supreme Court of India elaborated that the legislature party cannot dictate the course of the political party, and the two cannot be conflated.

Simple Past Adjunct + S + V + O Main Clause + Complement Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
In 2023
The year when the Supreme Court gave this important judgment
Subject Who/What
the Supreme Court of India
The highest judicial court in India
Verb What is happening
elaborated
Explained something in great detail
Object What receives action
that the legislature party cannot dictate the course of the political party, and the two cannot be conflated
The group of elected members in Parliament cannot control the whole party’s decisions, and these two should be seen as separate things
Context and Background
Political Party vs. Legislature Party

The 2023 Supreme Court ruling (Subhash Desai case) clarified that for the purposes of the Tenth Schedule, the ‘political party’ (the larger organization) is distinct from the ‘legislature party’ (only the elected members). The decisions of the political party take precedence over those of the elected members.

Sentence 13 of 17
English Original

Two-thirds of the members of the legislature party of the original party must accept a merger for it to be valid under the anti-defection law.

Modal Present S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Two-thirds of the members of the legislature party of the original party
At least 66% of the politicians who were elected from the first party
Verb What is happening
must accept
Are required to agree to something
Object What receives action
a merger
The act of joining another party
Adjunct Additional info
for it to be valid under the anti-defection law
So that the law considers the action legal and doesn’t remove the members from their posts
Sentence 14 of 17
English Original

To turn this around and argue that two-thirds of a party’s legislative members can cross over to another party without attracting disqualification is a stretch, and is being challenged in the Court by AAP.

Simple Present / Present Continuous Passive S + V + C + V + Adjunct + Adjunct Compound Predicate Clause Complex-Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
To turn this around and argue that two-thirds of a party’s legislative members can cross over to another party without attracting disqualification
The claim that 66% of members can just switch parties without breaking the law
Verb What is happening
is
Represents a state or opinion
Complement Completes meaning
a stretch
Something that is difficult to believe or is an exaggeration of the truth
Verb What is happening
and is being challenged
Is currently being questioned or opposed in a legal way
Adjunct Additional info
in the Court
The place where the legal case is happening
Adjunct Additional info
by AAP
The party that started the legal case
Sentence 15 of 17
English Original

What this episode also makes clear is that the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was already at loggerheads with several opposition members, has chosen a line that strictly adheres to the BJP’s interest.

Simple Present / Present Perfect S + V + C Main Clause + Nominal Clause + Relative Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
What this episode also makes clear
Another thing that becomes easy to understand from this situation
Verb What is happening
is
Represents a fact or revelation
Complement Completes meaning
that the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was already at loggerheads with several opposition members, has chosen a line that strictly adheres to the BJP’s interest
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha, who already had conflicts with opposition parties, made a decision that helps the BJP’s plans perfectly
Sentence 16 of 17
English Original

The AAP defections may have served the BJP’s short-term goal of obtaining a majority in the Upper House, but the resulting institutional damage can only be bad for the health of India’s democracy.

Modal Perfect / Modal Simple S + V + O + Conj + S + V + C Compound Sentence Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The AAP defections
The act of members leaving the Aam Aadmi Party
Verb What is happening
may have served
Might have helped or fulfilled a purpose
Object What receives action
the BJP’s short-term goal of obtaining a majority in the Upper House
What the BJP wanted to achieve quickly: having more than 50% of seats in the Rajya Sabha
Adjunct Additional info
but
A word used to introduce a contrasting or opposing point
Subject Who/What
the resulting institutional damage
The harm caused to the structure and rules of the country’s government because of these actions
Verb What is happening
can only be
Expresses a certain outcome or state
Complement Completes meaning
bad for the health of India’s democracy
Harmful for the way democracy functions and remains strong in India
Sentence 17 of 17
English Original

The AAP, the BJP, and the RS Chairman must pause and think of the precedent that is being set.

Modal Present S + V + O Main Clause + Relative Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The AAP, the BJP, and the RS Chairman
The three main groups or people involved in this political event
Verb What is happening
must pause and think of
Should stop and carefully consider the consequences of their actions
Object What receives action
the precedent that is being set
The example being created now that other people will follow in the future
Sentence 1 of 17
Sentence 1 of 17
On April 24, seven of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s 10 Rajya Sabha members announced their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
On April 24
A specific date when this event happened
Subject
seven of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s 10 Rajya Sabha members
The group of seven politicians from AAP who are members of the Rajya Sabha
Verb
announced
Formally told the public or authorities about something
Object
their merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
The act of joining their original group with a different political party (BJP)
Sentence 2 of 17
The Rajya Sabha Chairman has accepted their claim of merger, raising the BJP’s strength in the Upper House to 113 and the combined strength of the National Democratic Alliance above the halfway mark for the first time.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Rajya Sabha Chairman
The head of the Upper House of Parliament (who is also the Vice President of India)
Verb
has accepted
Agreed to or approved something officially
Object
their claim of merger
The legal argument made by the seven members that they have merged with the BJP
Adjunct
raising the BJP’s strength in the Upper House to 113 and the combined strength of the National Democratic Alliance above the halfway mark for the first time
The result was that the BJP and its allies (NDA) now have more than half the total seats needed for a majority in the Rajya Sabha
Sentence 3 of 17
The episode highlights the nature of AAP, the crass opportunism of the turncoats, the machinations of the BJP, and the institutionalised defanging of the anti-defection law.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The episode
The specific event of mass defection mentioned earlier
Verb
highlights
Makes something clear or draws attention to it
Object
the nature of AAP, the crass opportunism of the turncoats, the machinations of the BJP, and the institutionalised defanging of the anti-defection law
Four key things shown by this event: the true character of the party, the greed of those who left, the clever tricks of the BJP, and how the anti-defection law has been made weak
Sentence 4 of 17
Of the seven, Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Swati Maliwal were part of AAP in an organic manner, to the limited extent that it had an identity beyond the whims of its founder, Arvind Kejriwal.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Of the seven
Referring back to the seven members who defected
Subject
Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Swati Maliwal
The names of the three senior and long-time members of AAP
Verb
were
Used to be or existed in a certain state
Complement
part of AAP in an organic manner
Members who grew with the party naturally over a long time, rather than joining recently for benefits
Adjunct
to the limited extent that it had an identity beyond the whims of its founder, Arvind Kejriwal
Only as much as the party could exist independently of the personal choices or moods of its leader
Sentence 5 of 17
For the other four, their exit is as opportunistic as their entries into AAP were.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
For the other four
Referring to the remaining four members of the group of seven
Subject
their exit
The act of these four members leaving the AAP
Verb
is
Represents a state of reality
Complement
as opportunistic as their entries into AAP were
Meaning they joined the party only for benefits and are now leaving for the same reason
Sentence 6 of 17
Mr. Kejriwal used to taunt the Congress for losing its legislators to the BJP in several States, as symptomatic of the erosion of its ethical responsibility.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Mr. Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal, the founder and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party
Verb
used to taunt
Used to make fun of or insult someone in a repetitive way in the past
Object
the Congress
The Indian National Congress party
Adjunct
for losing its legislators to the BJP in several States
The reason for the taunts: Congress MLAs and MPs leaving to join the BJP
Adjunct
as symptomatic of the erosion of its ethical responsibility
Saying it was a sign that the Congress party had lost its moral standards
Sentence 7 of 17
But a relentless campaign of anarchy in pursuit of power exposed the true character of AAP as a far cry from its grand claims.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
But
A word used to show contrast with the previous sentence
Subject
a relentless campaign of anarchy in pursuit of power
Continuous actions causing disorder and lawlessness just to gain political power
Verb
exposed
Revealed something that was previously hidden or secret
Object
the true character of AAP
The real personality or moral quality of the party
Complement
as a far cry from its grand claims
Very different and much worse than the big promises it made
Sentence 8 of 17
The disintegration of its Rajya Sabha contingent is the culmination of the cynicism and opportunism on which AAP thrived, imposing a heavy cost on the democratic institutions of India.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The disintegration of its Rajya Sabha contingent
The breaking apart or loss of the group of AAP members in the Rajya Sabha
Verb
is
Represents a definitive state
Complement
the culmination of the cynicism and opportunism on which AAP thrived
The final result of using clever but selfish tricks that the party used to grow
Adjunct
imposing a heavy cost on the democratic institutions of India
Causing serious damage to how democracy works in the country
Sentence 9 of 17
It reaped what it sowed.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
It
Referring to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Verb
reaped
Got a result (usually as a consequence of past actions)
Object
what it sowed
The actions it carried out in the past
Sentence 10 of 17
That is no reason to ignore the brazen misinterpretation — invoked by the gang of seven and accepted by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha — of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which bars the defection of elected representatives from their original party.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
That
Referring to the reasons or context mentioned in the previous sentences
Verb
is
Does not represent or constitute
Complement
no reason to ignore the brazen misinterpretation — invoked by the gang of seven and accepted by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha — of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which bars the defection of elected representatives from their original party
Not a justification for following a very wrong translation of the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule) which actually stops politicians from switching parties
Sentence 11 of 17
The merger exception in the Schedule is clear that a party can merge with another, subject to the concurrence of two-thirds of its legislators.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The merger exception in the Schedule
The special rule in the Tenth Schedule that allows parties to join together
Verb
is
Represents a fact or state
Complement
clear that a party can merge with another, subject to the concurrence of two-thirds of its legislators
Very easy to understand that a merger is valid only if 66% (two-thirds) of the elected members agree
Sentence 12 of 17
In 2023, the Supreme Court of India elaborated that the legislature party cannot dictate the course of the political party, and the two cannot be conflated.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In 2023
The year when the Supreme Court gave this important judgment
Subject
the Supreme Court of India
The highest judicial court in India
Verb
elaborated
Explained something in great detail
Object
that the legislature party cannot dictate the course of the political party, and the two cannot be conflated
The group of elected members in Parliament cannot control the whole party’s decisions, and these two should be seen as separate things
Sentence 13 of 17
Two-thirds of the members of the legislature party of the original party must accept a merger for it to be valid under the anti-defection law.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Two-thirds of the members of the legislature party of the original party
At least 66% of the politicians who were elected from the first party
Verb
must accept
Are required to agree to something
Object
a merger
The act of joining another party
Adjunct
for it to be valid under the anti-defection law
So that the law considers the action legal and doesn’t remove the members from their posts
Sentence 14 of 17
To turn this around and argue that two-thirds of a party’s legislative members can cross over to another party without attracting disqualification is a stretch, and is being challenged in the Court by AAP.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
To turn this around and argue that two-thirds of a party’s legislative members can cross over to another party without attracting disqualification
The claim that 66% of members can just switch parties without breaking the law
Verb
is
Represents a state or opinion
Complement
a stretch
Something that is difficult to believe or is an exaggeration of the truth
Verb
and is being challenged
Is currently being questioned or opposed in a legal way
Adjunct
in the Court
The place where the legal case is happening
Adjunct
by AAP
The party that started the legal case
Sentence 15 of 17
What this episode also makes clear is that the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was already at loggerheads with several opposition members, has chosen a line that strictly adheres to the BJP’s interest.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
What this episode also makes clear
Another thing that becomes easy to understand from this situation
Verb
is
Represents a fact or revelation
Complement
that the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was already at loggerheads with several opposition members, has chosen a line that strictly adheres to the BJP’s interest
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha, who already had conflicts with opposition parties, made a decision that helps the BJP’s plans perfectly
Sentence 16 of 17
The AAP defections may have served the BJP’s short-term goal of obtaining a majority in the Upper House, but the resulting institutional damage can only be bad for the health of India’s democracy.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The AAP defections
The act of members leaving the Aam Aadmi Party
Verb
may have served
Might have helped or fulfilled a purpose
Object
the BJP’s short-term goal of obtaining a majority in the Upper House
What the BJP wanted to achieve quickly: having more than 50% of seats in the Rajya Sabha
Adjunct
but
A word used to introduce a contrasting or opposing point
Subject
the resulting institutional damage
The harm caused to the structure and rules of the country’s government because of these actions
Verb
can only be
Expresses a certain outcome or state
Complement
bad for the health of India’s democracy
Harmful for the way democracy functions and remains strong in India
Sentence 17 of 17
The AAP, the BJP, and the RS Chairman must pause and think of the precedent that is being set.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The AAP, the BJP, and the RS Chairman
The three main groups or people involved in this political event
Verb
must pause and think of
Should stop and carefully consider the consequences of their actions
Object
the precedent that is being set
The example being created now that other people will follow in the future

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - AAP Defections

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the mass defection of AAP Rajya Sabha members and its legal implications.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

About Scoreclever

Your Complete Learning Ecosystem

Scoreclever helps you master Current Affairs, English Language, and General Awareness for all Banking, SSC, Railway, and Defence exams. The Scoreclever app has innovative learning techniques that make memorization and revision effortless.

Explore Scoreclever

© 2026 Scoreclever

·

Built with ♥ for aspirants