In a significant political development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday. The meeting was primarily centered on the recent defection of six Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members from Punjab who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
AAP MLAs Seek Justice at Rail Bhawan
Prior to the meeting, several MLAs from the ruling AAP gathered at Rail Bhawan, situated near the President’s residence. The legislators expressed their collective hope that the President would deliver justice regarding the sudden political shift that has impacted the party’s strength in the upper house. As per reports, the discussions between CM Mann and the President focused specifically on the constitutional and ethical implications of the mass defection.
Mann Reaffirms Commitment to Punjab’s Rights
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) ahead of the meeting, Chief Minister Mann emphasised that his administration remains steadfast in its mission. “Our struggle for the protection of Punjab’s rights and interests continues unabated. Today, we have set out in the company of all AAP MLAs to discuss Punjab’s burning issues and present the state’s resounding voice before the esteemed President,” Mann stated.
The Backdrop of the Defections
The political landscape in Punjab shifted dramatically on April 24, when seven of AAP’s ten Rajya Sabha MPs including prominent names like Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, and Harbhajan Singh announced their resignation and subsequent merger with the BJP. Out of these seven, six MPs represent Punjab. The defecting members alleged that the party had strayed from its founding principles and core values, leading to their decision to switch sides.
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