Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Sanjay Singh, during a press conference, delivered a clear message to the 7 Rajya Sabha MPs who have rebelled against the party. Singh stated that if the MPs have differences with the party, they must first resign from the party they were elected from before moving elsewhere. He emphasized that it's a matter of political integrity to step down from the position gained through the party's mandate before switching sides.
Demand for Termination of Membership
Sanjay Singh asserted that several constitutional experts have clarified that the membership of the 7 AAP MPs who announced their decision to join the BJP will be terminated. He informed that after consulting legal experts, including Kapil Sibal, the party has sent a petition to the Vice President of India, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Singh urged the Chairman to disqualify these members and take a swift decision on the matter to uphold parliamentary norms.
Allegations of Betraying the People of Punjab
Continuing his critique, Sanjay Singh stated that these MPs have not only betrayed the party but have also cheated the people of Punjab, while he remarked that if there are ideological differences, the honorable path is to resign first. He reiterated his stance, saying, "Resign from the party you were elected from if you've differences, and then go wherever you wish to go," highlighting the breach of trust with the electorate.
Raghav Chadha's Announcement of Merger
The controversy follows an announcement on Friday by AAP Rajya Sabha members Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak. In a press conference, Chadha declared that he, along with five other Rajya Sabha members, is joining the BJP. Chadha claimed that seven out of AAP's ten Rajya Sabha members are set to merge with the BJP. He cited constitutional provisions, stating that a merger is valid if two-thirds of a party's legislators decide to join another party.
List of MPs Joining the BJP
P, while radhakrishnan regarding this development, and all necessary documents are being filed. The AAP Rajya Sabha members joining the BJP include:
- Raghav Chadha
- Sandeep Pathak
- Harbhajan Singh
- Rajendra Gupta
- Vikram Sahni
- Swati Maliwal
- Ashok Mittal