Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activists in Punjab staged a unique protest on Tuesday against the party's defecting Members of Parliament (MPs). The protest, termed 'Arthi Phoonk' (funeral pyre), was held outside the residences of the defecting MPs in various cities across the state. The activists carried symbolic funeral pyres and chanted slogans accusing the MPs of betraying the people's mandate.
Protest Details
The protest was organized by the Punjab unit of AAP to express outrage over the defection of three party MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last week. The defecting MPs include Sushil Kumar Rinku, Simranjit Singh Mann, and Vikramjit Singh Sahney. AAP leaders claimed that these MPs had won the elections on AAP tickets but later joined the BJP, undermining the democratic process.
Activists' Demands
The activists demanded the immediate disqualification of the defecting MPs under the anti-defection law. They also called for strict action against them for what they termed as 'political corruption'. The protestors held placards reading 'Defectors are traitors' and 'Respect people's mandate'.
Reactions from AAP Leadership
Senior AAP leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, condemned the defections and supported the protest. In a statement, the party said that such actions erode public faith in democracy and vowed to take legal recourse to ensure the MPs are disqualified.
The protest comes ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with AAP aiming to consolidate its position in Punjab. The party has urged its supporters to remain vigilant against any further attempts of poaching by rival parties.
