AAP-BJP row: Chadha alleges vendetta politics; Mann seeks disqualification of 6 MPs from state

Terminate 6 RS MPs

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann too met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday and urged her to terminate the membership of six Rajya Sabha MPs from the state who recently switched allegiances to the BJP. MLAs from the ruling AAP congregated at Rail Bhawan, near Rashtrapati Bhawan, expressing their hope that the President would deliver justice for the party.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with the President, Mann stated that the six Rajya Sabha MPs who left the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were "selected" by the party's elected MLAs in Punjab. "There is a difference between selected and elected. They (MPs) were selected by these MLAs who have been elected by the people of Punjab," Mann said.

Also read: Raghav Chadha cites ‘toxic work environment’ in AAP for exit

The chief minister also presented papers to the President, signed by all AAP MLAs from Punjab, demanding the cancellation of the six MPs' memberships.

The defection

On April 24, the Aam Aadmi Party suffered a jolt when seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs -- Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Rajendra Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney and Swati Maliwal -- quit and merged with the BJP.

They alleged that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who left AAP were from Punjab.

Intimidation and harassment

After meeting the President, Chadha told reporters in New Delhi that all those MPs who exercised their constitutional right to express disagreement with the Aam Aadmi Party and chose to leave it, and all these incidents and developments, were presented today before the President of India.

"I also want to tell the Aam Aadmi Party that as long as we were obedient, we were considered cultured. The moment we left, we were branded corrupt," Chadha said.

He alleged that several former AAP MPs who have joined the BJP are facing intimidation and coercive actions from state agencies.

"The Aam Aadmi Party, which accuses everyone else of revenge politics, is today itself indulging in dangerous vendetta politics. Since April 24, when we left AAP and merged with the BJP, our MPs are being systematically targeted and harassed," he said.

MPs targeted

Citing specific instances, Chadha claimed that former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh has been attacked, while industrialist and MP Rajendra Gupta's business operations have allegedly been disrupted.

"We left the Aam Aadmi Party on April 24, 2026, and merged with the BJP. Since then, harassment of our MPs has begun. First, World Cup-winning cricketer Harbhajan Singh had "traitor" written outside his house. Stones were allegedly thrown at his residence with the help of Punjab Police, and offensive slogans were raised targeting his family," he alleged.

"Then, our colleague Rajendra Gupta, a Padma Shri awardee and an industrialist running a major factory in Punjab's Malwa region--providing livelihood to around 30,000 people--had his factory targeted. The Punjab government allegedly cut off its water supply, and the Pollution Board conducted raids to initiate its closure," he said.

Also read: Why Raghav Chadha lost nearly 1 million followers in 24 hours after joining BJP

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He further claimed that cases are registered against MP Sandeep Pathak, terming them "malicious and fabricated". "These FIRs and notices are so frivolous that they are not worth the paper they are written on. The judiciary will tear them apart," Chadha said.

A warning and an appeal

Chadha ended by warning the AAP government that such actions could have serious consequences. "Using vigilance, the Pollution Board, and the police for political revenge is a dangerous game. You may have started it, but the end will not be good. This must stop," he said.

Alleging that attempts are being made to target him next through "fabricated cases" and claimed that social media campaigns are being run to malign them. Appealing to Punjab government officials, he urged them not to act under political pressure. "I want to tell officials that you are respected officers. Do not succumb to threats of transfer or suspension. Act according to law and in national interest," he said.

The Rajya Sabha MP also took a swipe at the AAP, saying those who invoke Mahatma Gandhi's ideals are now misusing state machinery for political purposes. "The people of Punjab must know how their government is being used to settle political scores," Chadha added.

Murder of democracy

Meanwhile, ahead of the meeting with Murmu, the chief minister said in a post on X, "Our struggle for the protection of Punjab's rights and interests continues unabated. Today, we have set out in the company of all AAP MLAs to discuss Punjab's burning issues and present the state's resounding voice before the esteemed President."

Mann described the defection of the six MPs to the BJP as "absolutely unconstitutional" and a "murder" of democracy.

(With agency inputs)