Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a strong critique against Raghav Chadha and six other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs who defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), branding them 'traitors of Punjab.' At a press conference in Chandigarh, Mann asserted that their departure would not diminish AAP's strength or commitment to the people of Punjab. He accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize AAP after failing to find any wrongdoing against him. The defectors, including notable figures like Chadha, were described by Mann as lacking true leadership qualities, stating they were products of the party rather than independent leaders. Mann expressed confidence that the people of Punjab would not support the defectors, emphasizing that the party remains united under AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. The defections have provided ammunition for opposition parties, with Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders mocking AAP's internal crisis and questioning its governance model. They argue that the loss of high-profile members like Chadha indicates a lack of faith in Kejriwal's leadership.