The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has formally submitted a petition to the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking the disqualification of seven of its Members of Parliament who recently left the party. The move invokes the anti-defection law, which prohibits elected members from voluntarily giving up party membership.
Details of the Petition
The petition names the seven MPs who resigned from AAP and now sit as independents or have joined other parties. AAP argues that their actions constitute defection under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which mandates disqualification. The party has requested the Chairman to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee for inquiry and subsequent action.
Background
In recent months, seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab and Delhi quit the party, citing differences over leadership and policies. This exodus has reduced AAP's strength in the Upper House, impacting its legislative influence.
The anti-defection law, enacted in 1985, aims to prevent political instability caused by floor-crossing. Under its provisions, a member can be disqualified if they voluntarily give up party membership or vote against party directions.
Political analysts note that this petition could set a precedent for how defections are handled in the Rajya Sabha, where members are elected by state assemblies rather than directly.
AAP's legal team is confident that the petition meets all procedural requirements. The party has also accused the seven MPs of betraying the mandate given to them by the party.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman is expected to review the petition and decide on the next steps, which may include seeking responses from the concerned MPs before any disqualification proceedings.
