Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is set to meet Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on Tuesday, seeking her intervention over the recent political developments involving the shift of several AAP Rajya Sabha members to the BJP.
The Chief Minister departed for the national capital to raise concerns about what his party describes as a breach of public mandate following the defection of seven Members of Parliament, including Raghav Chadha, Harbhajan Singh, and Sandeep Pathak. The group recently aligned with the BJP, triggering a sharp political response in Punjab.
While the official invitation from Rashtrapati Bhavan is limited to the Chief Minister, several AAP legislators have also travelled to Delhi in a show of solidarity. Mann expressed hope that the President would take note of the issue, calling her the custodian of constitutional values.
Punjab minister Aman Arora said the party would demand action against the defecting MPs, arguing that they had betrayed the trust of voters. He added that the state’s electorate would not easily support such political shifts.
Another senior leader, Harpal Singh Cheema, termed the development a challenge to democratic principles and indicated that party legislators would appeal for constitutional remedies. He suggested that provisions allowing accountability of elected representatives should be considered in such situations.
Meanwhile, AAP MLA Vijay Singla dismissed speculation about further defections within the party, asserting that the leadership remains united. He described the move to approach the President as a legitimate democratic step.
Interestingly, Raghav Chadha is also expected to meet the President separately, where he may present his perspective on the developments and respond to allegations raised by the Punjab leadership.
The political shift of these MPs has intensified tensions between parties in the state, with both sides preparing for a prolonged battle over legitimacy and public support.
