Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is set to meet Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday to raise concerns over what he termed an “illegal” and “unlawful” defection of seven Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament. The development comes amid escalating political tensions after multiple MPs reportedly switched allegiance from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reported IANS.
Mann calls defection a ‘betrayal of public mandate’
Ahead of the meeting, Mann stated that the issue strikes at the core of democratic values, describing the alleged defections as a betrayal of the people’s mandate. He confirmed that an appointment had been secured at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he plans to formally present his concerns. Mann used strong words against the MPs involved, saying those who switched sides had disrespected voters and should be held accountable, reported IANS.
Seven MPs’ switch dents AAP strength in Rajya Sabha
According to the Chief Minister, seven MPs – including Raghav Chadha, Harbhajan Singh and others – have moved from AAP to BJP. The reported shift has significantly weakened AAP’s presence in the Rajya Sabha, reducing its strength from 10 members to just three. The development is being seen as a major political setback for the party at the national level.
‘Normalising defection is dangerous’: CM Mann
Mann also criticised attempts to portray such defections as routine political practice. He argued that normalising such actions undermines democratic ethics and sets a dangerous precedent. The Chief Minister warned that those defending or justifying the defections could themselves be preparing to change political allegiance, reported IANS.
Punjab government asserts majority, rejects floor test demand
Amid the political controversy, Mann reaffirmed that his government continues to enjoy a clear majority in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. He dismissed opposition calls for a floor test, stating that recent legislative proceedings, including the smooth passage of the state Budget and multiple bills, demonstrate the government’s stability and majority support, reported IANS.
CM targets Centre over governance claims
Taking a swipe at critics, Mann questioned the performance of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government. He challenged opponents to account for the promises fulfilled by the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi before raising questions about Punjab’s governance, reported IANS.
The meeting with the President is expected to intensify the political discourse around defections and could have wider implications for party dynamics in Parliament.
(With inputs from IANS)