Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized seven Rajya Sabha members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) who defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), referring to them as 'gaddars' (traitors). Mann accused these individuals of abandoning their principles for personal gain, stating that they would not find success within the BJP. He claimed that the BJP is attempting to destabilize his government through engineered defections and misuse of central agencies. Mann pointed out that the BJP has shown unease regarding Punjab's recent legislative actions, particularly regarding the strict law against sacrilege, which resonates with local sentiments. He also alleged that the BJP is hostile towards Punjab, citing stalled development funds and the rollback of farm laws as evidence of their disregard for the state. Despite the defections, Mann asserted that AAP remains strong and united, highlighting the party's achievements such as providing free electricity and government jobs. He concluded by stating that the BJP's political strategy is to weaken regional parties across India, asserting that defectors often lose their relevance within the BJP.