Raghav Chadha Moves to BJP; Protests Erupt as Punjab Faces AAP-BJP Clash

Punjab BJP's working president Ashwani Sharma said the exit of the MPs has dealt a major blow to the AAP, alleging Kejriwal's dictatorial tendencies and predicting repercussions in Punjab.

Haryana BJP's Nayab Saini dismissed Chadha's move as part of an 'Operation Lotus' to break other parties, criticizing unfulfilled promises in Punjab and urging progress under Modi's leadership and the lotus symbol.

BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said those part of the 'India Against Corruption' movement are now abandoning Arvind Kejriwal, alleging organised corruption and paralysis of the administration.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu to present his case regarding the AAP's call to disqualify the rebel MPs.

The AAP stated it intends to request action against the rebel MPs under the Anti-Defection Law, noting that the signatures claimed on the document were not all present; only three MPs were actually there.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema denounced the defectors as betraying the people, claiming they bowed to the BJP out of fear of the ED and CBI; he vowed the people of Punjab would teach the BJP a lesson.

Protests erupted outside the residences of Punjab Rajya Sabha MPs who defected to the BJP, including former cricketer Harbhajan Singh; protesters also scribbled 'traitor' outside Rajinder Gupta's house in Ludhiana.

Raghav Chadha along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs switch allegiance to the BJP, triggering a political storm in Punjab. The AAP accuses the BJP of betraying the people, noting Chadha had been elected to Rajya Sabha from Punjab.