NEW DELHI: Punjab Police have registered two first information reports (FIRs) against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, who recently switched allegiance from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to sources. The cases were filed just days after Pathak’s defection to the BJP, though the specific charges have not been officially disclosed, as reported by PTI.
Political Turmoil in Punjab
The development comes amid heightened political tensions in Punjab following recent shifts in party alignments. Pathak was among seven Rajya Sabha MPs who resigned from AAP and joined the BJP, dealing a significant blow to the party led by Arvind Kejriwal.
Mass Exodus from AAP
On April 24, AAP suffered a major setback when seven of its ten Rajya Sabha MPs—Pathak, Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney, and Swati Maliwal—quit the party. In a joint statement, they alleged that AAP had strayed from its principles, values, and core morals. Six of these seven MPs represented Punjab in the Upper House.
Subsequently, Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan officially accepted their merger with the BJP, reducing AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha to just three members. This political realignment has intensified the ongoing power struggle in Punjab, with both parties gearing up for future electoral battles.
While the details of the FIRs remain under wraps, legal experts suggest that the cases could be related to alleged violations or complaints filed by rival political factions. The Punjab Police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the nature of the charges.
Impact on State Politics
The defection of key MPs has raised questions about AAP’s stability in Punjab, where it currently holds power. Political analysts believe that the BJP’s successful poaching of AAP MPs signals a strategic effort to expand its footprint in the state ahead of upcoming elections. Meanwhile, AAP leaders have dismissed the defections as inconsequential, vowing to rebuild their party’s strength.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Sandeep Pathak’s political future hangs in the balance. The FIRs could potentially lead to further investigations and legal battles, adding another layer of complexity to Punjab’s already volatile political landscape.
