Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized the seven AAP Rajya Sabha members who joined the BJP, suggesting they should have resigned and contested on BJP tickets if they were brave enough. He emphasized that party mergers must follow legal procedures and constitutional norms. Mann expressed disappointment over the defection, highlighting the impact on Punjab’s political landscape and calling for the disqualification of the MPs to allow AAP to fill the vacant seats. He also raised concerns about the BJP’s alleged trend of weakening regional parties, citing examples of other party leaders facing similar challenges.
Mann urged for a review of the situation, emphasizing the need for constitutional specialists to address the issue of defection and party mergers. He highlighted the imbalance caused by the sudden increase in BJP representation from Punjab and called for corrective measures to restore democratic principles. The Chief Minister underscored the importance of upholding democratic values and preventing the undue influence of national parties on regional politics. Mann expressed confidence in AAP’s resilience as a national party, asserting that it would not succumb to external pressures attempting to weaken its presence in Punjab and beyond.
