Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has termed the decision of its seven Rajya Sabha MPs to quit the party and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as unconstitutional, demanding the cancellation of their membership. AAP leader Sanjay Singh said on Saturday that the party will write to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, seeking their disqualification from the Upper House.
Cites Anti-Defection Law
Sanjay Singh stated that the anti-defection law clearly provides that any kind of split or faction in the Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha has no legal recognition, even if it involves a two-thirds majority. He emphasized that neither the anti-defection law nor the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution recognizes any division or separate group within Parliament.
AAP Calls Merger Illegal
The AAP leader described the move by the seven MPs to join the BJP as completely “unconstitutional” and “illegal.” He said the party would formally write to the Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, demanding that the MPs be disqualified.
Seven MPs Rebel Against Party
On Friday, AAP Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal announced that they, along with four other party MPs, were joining the BJP. Addressing a press conference, Chadha said that seven out of AAP’s ten Rajya Sabha MPs were ready to merge with the BJP. The development is expected to intensify political tensions in the Rajya Sabha. AAP maintains that the MPs’ action violates the anti-defection law and warrants disqualification. The focus now shifts to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, whose decision on the matter will be crucial.