AAP calls its Rajya Sabha MPs 'traitors' for betraying party, joining BJP

Following a split in its Rajya Sabha ranks with MPs joining the BJP, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar slammed them as 'traitors'. The party accused the BJP of using the ED to break leaders and plans to take action under the anti-defection law.

In the wake of the Aam Aadmi Party's split in Rajya Sabha, AAP Chief National Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Saturday accused the Member of Parliament (MPs) of betraying the party and called them "traitors". AAP leader alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called the people of Punjab "terrorists". She added that the AAP MPs' leaving the party and joining the BJP was "extremely unfortunate". Speaking to ANI, she said, "These aren't seven MPs, these are seven traitors, sent to the Rajya Sabha by the Aam Aadmi Party to raise the issues of the people of Punjab. These traitors left that party and joined the party that has always called the people of Punjab terrorists. The party that is responsible for the martyrdom of 750 farmers, the party that is responsible for running vehicles over farmers' children. Today, they have gone and stood with that party. This is extremely unfortunate..."

AAP Accuses BJP of Using ED, Suppressing Voice

Reacting to 2/3 AAP Rajya Sabha MPs joining the BJP, Aam Aadmi Party's national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda accused the BJP of using the ED to break the party MPs and the leaders. "Bharatiya Janata Party is afraid of Aam Aadmi Party. This has become clear now. The action of the BJP is not limited to breaking our MPs," he added. "In Gujarat, the Modi government has shut down the Facebook and Instagram pages of the Aam Aadmi Party. Because the BJP is afraid of the increasing influence of the Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat. They feel that the people of Gujarat are going to join forces with the Aam Aadmi Party and throw a tantrum at the BJP," he added. He added that the Bhartiya Janata Party was clearly afraid and taking away AAP's right to speak as a national party. "This is why the Bhartiya Janata Party is clearly afraid. The Bharatiya Janata Party is also taking away our right to speak as a national party and to communicate with the people. Is this a democracy? Can a political party's communication system be attacked like this in a democracy? All the people of the country are watching how the Bharatiya Janata Party is dancing the Tana Shahi's Nanga in the whole country. Using the ED to break the MPs and the leaders," he added.

Two-Thirds of MPs Formalise Split

AAP leaders' remarks come amid political buzz after the trio of MPs--Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal--announced parting ways from the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday and joined the BJP later in the presence of party chief Nitin Nabin, who later welcomed the decision. While addressing a presser in the national capital, Chadha said that he, along with six AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, has informed the Chairman of the House, in accordance with the rules, of leaving the party. Now, the Aam Aadmi Party is also set to send a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman in this matter. He formalised a split that had been building for weeks, announcing that two-thirds of the party's Upper House members would merge with the BJP.

AAP Leadership Plans Counter-Strategy

Meanwhile, the AAP has now begun working on a new strategy. Deliberations are ongoing among party leaders regarding the situation. Late last night, after returning from a visit to Gujarat, senior party leader Manish Sisodia met party convenor Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. Manish Sisodia was in Rajkot to campaign for the party in the Gujarat municipal elections. Party sources said, "After returning to Delhi late at night, Sisodia went straight from the airport to the residence of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The two leaders met for more than half an hour. During the meeting, they also discussed the possible impact of the split and what the future strategy should be."

Legal Action Planned Against Defectors

Party sources said, "The chief whip in the Upper House, ND Gupta, will submit a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman against Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal." "Gupta's letter will seek action as per the anti-defection law. These 3 leaders were seen in public joining the BJP. Rest four were not seen in the public domain, making that move. Hence, the chief whip will lodge the complaint against the three MPs seen in the BJP office," a party source added. (ANI)

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