Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Appeals to President Murmu Over Rajya Sabha Defections
Merger or defection? CM of Punjab, Raghav Chadha meet Droupadi Murmu over legal status
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met President Droupadi Murmu to request the termination of six Rajya Sabha MPs' memberships who defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This meeting follows allegations of political harassment against the defectors, including Raghav Chadha. Mann also called for a constitutional amendment to enable voters to recall elected representatives.
- 01CM Bhagwant Mann seeks termination of six Rajya Sabha MPs' memberships due to defection to BJP.
- 02Mann met President Droupadi Murmu with over 85 MLAs to present a memorandum.
- 03Raghav Chadha and others allege political harassment after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
- 04The AAP's strength in the Rajya Sabha has decreased to three following the defections.
- 05Mann advocates for a constitutional amendment to allow voters to recall elected officials.
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On Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met with President Droupadi Murmu to request the termination of the memberships of six Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab who defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mann described their actions as a “mockery” and “murder” of the Constitution. This meeting occurred shortly after four of the six MPs, including Raghav Chadha, approached the President to allege harassment by the Punjab government following their exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The AAP faced a significant setback on April 24, when seven of its ten Rajya Sabha members left the party to merge with the BJP, reducing AAP's representation in the Upper House to just three members. During the meeting, Mann, accompanied by more than 85 of the party’s 94 MLAs, submitted a memorandum with 95 signatures advocating for a constitutional amendment to allow voters the right to recall their elected representatives. President Murmu assured Mann that she would consult constitutional experts regarding the request. Notably, Chadha had previously supported the idea of a recall mechanism while serving as an AAP MP.
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This situation could influence the political landscape in Punjab, affecting the representation and governance of the region.
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