AAP Moves To Disqualify 7 Rajya Sabha MPs

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has formally approached Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan, seeking the disqualification of seven of its Members of Parliament (MPs) who recently left the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

AAP MP Sanjay Singh submitted a petition alleging that these MPs violated the anti-defection law by abandoning the party under whose ticket they were elected. He argued that their actions are contrary to the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which addresses such cases.

The controversy arose after seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha and Swati Maliwal, resigned from the party and announced their merger with the BJP. The leaders justified their decision by claiming that AAP had strayed from its founding principles and values.

However, AAP disputes this claim, contending that the defection does not meet the constitutional requirement for a valid merger, which states that at least two-thirds of a party’s legislators must agree to a merger in order for it to be considered legitimate.

Sanjay Singh also referenced previous Supreme Court rulings related to similar cases in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing that such defections can result in disqualification. He stated that AAP is prepared to pursue legal action if necessary.

This issue has heightened political tensions, especially in Punjab, where most of the defecting MPs were elected. Singh claimed there is public anger directed at these MPs for “betraying” both the party and their voters.

Meanwhile, the BJP has been targeting AAP’s leadership over other controversies, including allegations regarding a government bungalow, further escalating the political clash between the two parties.

The decision now rests with the Rajya Sabha Chairman, whose ruling could have significant implications for parliamentary ethics and party discipline in India.