Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers staged a protest in Chandigarh on Saturday against three former Rajya Sabha MPs—Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, and Rajinder Gupta—who recently quit the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The demonstrators spray-painted the word 'gadar' (traitor) on the outer walls of their residences and burned their effigies.
Protest Details
The protesters raised slogans such as 'Punjab de gadar' (traitors of Punjab). It remains unclear whether any complaints of defacement have been filed regarding these actions. In Jalandhar, senior AAP leader Pawan Kumar Tinu alleged that the BJP had resorted to 'poaching' AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs 'by hook or by crook' out of frustration. He further claimed that the Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal had formed an 'unholy alliance' against the party.
Youth Wing Protests
Parminder Goldy, acting president of the AAP Punjab youth wing, led a protest outside Rajinder Gupta's residence. He stated that the people of Punjab would not forgive this 'betrayal of trust.' Goldy alleged attempts to destabilize AAP due to its governance model but asserted that party workers remained firmly united.
Party Stance
AAP leaders maintained that the party remains committed to serving Punjab and that those betraying public trust would be held accountable. The protests highlight the political tension following the defection of three key MPs from AAP to the BJP.
