The Shiromani Akali Dal criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s decision to approach the President regarding the recall of party Rajya Sabha MPs who joined the BJP, calling it political theater. The party emphasized that handling actions against MPs falls under Parliament’s jurisdiction as per the 10th schedule of the Constitution.
Senior party leader Daljit Singh Cheema highlighted that under the anti-defection law, if two-thirds of a party’s members merge with another, no action can be taken against them. Cheema pointed out that the Chief Minister had previously approved the defection of an SAD MLA to AAP and appointed the legislator as the Chairman of a public sector undertaking.
The Akali Dal leader questioned AAP’s decision to nominate wealthy outsiders to the Rajya Sabha instead of genuine representatives of Punjab. Cheema raised concerns about accountability, asking whether citizens have the right to recall MLAs who have not fulfilled their duties. He suggested that AAP should engage with the people of Punjab rather than resorting to symbolic actions in Delhi.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has requested a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, accompanied by his party’s MLAs, to present their stance on the recall of seven Rajya Sabha members who switched to the BJP. This move follows the announcement by seven AAP Rajya Sabha members, including cricketer Harbhajan Singh, to join the BJP, with six representing Punjab in the Upper House.
Given that seven out of 10 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs have joined the BJP, with a two-thirds majority, they are unlikely to face disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, also known as the anti-defection law.
