At the NDTV Yuva 2026 conclave, Rajasthan Minister and Olympic medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore addressed the seismic shift in Indian politics following Raghav Chadha’s defection from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the BJP. Rathore framed the move as a sign of growing political “clarity” among young leaders.
Welcoming Raghav Chadha
Rathore, currently serving as Rajasthan’s Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, responded to the news of Chadha and six other AAP MPs joining the BJP with a welcoming stance:
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The “Right Path”: Rathore remarked that people are slowly realizing what is good for the country. “Anybody is welcome. Raghav Chadha is also welcome. Slowly, slowly people are getting clarity and returning to the right path,” he stated.
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Context of the Move: The comments come a day after Chadha led a two-thirds split of AAP’s Rajya Sabha strength, citing corruption within his former party as the primary reason for the merger with the BJP.
Life Lessons: Military Discipline & Resilience
Drawing from his career as an Army Colonel and an Olympic shooter, Rathore shared insights on success and public service:
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On Failure: He encouraged the youth to view failure as a badge of honor. “If you face failures, it’s a sign you’re on the right path because your target is very high. You have to get up and keep going.”
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Social Media vs. Reality: He urged the younger generation to believe in their authentic selves rather than the “filters” seen on social media.
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Calm Under Pressure: Rathore emphasized that the discipline he learned in the military—maintaining composure during high-stakes situations—is the most vital tool in his political career.
A Legacy of Service
Since retiring from the Army in 2013, Rathore has been a key figure in the BJP’s youth-centric initiatives. During the session, he highlighted his work with programs like Khelo India, focusing on:
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Promoting national fitness and sports excellence.
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Driving digital literacy and innovation among Indian youth.
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Applying military-grade dedication to governance and public empowerment.
Rathore’s address served as both a political validation of the BJP’s growing ranks and a motivational roadmap for the “Yuva” (youth) of 2026.
