Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to Discuss AAP MPs' Merger with BJP with President Murmu

Meeting Scheduled with President Droupadi Murmu

On Wednesday, Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced his upcoming meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, scheduled for May 5. This meeting will address the recent merger of seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Previously, Mann had requested an appointment with the President to discuss the recall of the state's Rajya Sabha MPs who have joined the BJP, accompanied by party MLAs.

Mann confirmed that the meeting is set for noon on May 5, expressing his commitment to attend.

When questioned about the legal provisions for recalling legislators, Mann indicated that he would raise this issue during his discussion with the President.

The AAP faced a significant setback on April 24 when seven of its ten Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney, and Swati Maliwal, resigned and merged with the BJP, citing a departure from the party's foundational principles and values.

Notably, six of these MPs were from Punjab.

The merger was officially recognized by Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Monday, which has now reduced the AAP's representation in the Upper House to just three members.