Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann meets President Murmu over AAP MPs' defection to BJP
Synopsis
Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs — six of them from Punjab — have crossed over to BJP, shrinking AAP's Upper House strength from 10 to just 3. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann took the fight to Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday, calling the defections illegal and a betrayal of voters. The move signals AAP's intent to pursue formal action, and could test the limits of India's anti-defection law in the Upper House.
Key Takeaways
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann met President Droupadi Murmu on 5 May 2026 over the mass defection of AAP Rajya Sabha MPs.
Seven AAP MPs — Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, Swati Maliwal, and Rajinder Gupta — defected to BJP as of April 2026.
The defections reduced AAP's Rajya Sabha strength from 10 seats to just 3 .
Mann called the defections "illegal" and "unlawful," describing the MPs as "traitors of Punjab." The Punjab government asserted it retains an absolute majority in the Vidhan Sabha, dismissing calls for a floor test.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, to formally raise the issue of what he described as the "illegal" and "unlawful defection" of seven Rajya Sabha MPs — including six from Punjab — from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mann asserted that such actions "amount to a betrayal of the people's mandate."
The Defection and Its Scale
As of April 2026, seven Rajya Sabha MPs — Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, Swati Maliwal, and Rajinder Gupta — had crossed over from AAP to BJP. The mass exodus has dealt a severe blow to AAP's presence in the Upper House, with its Rajya Sabha strength collapsing from 10 seats to just 3. Six of the seven defectors are MPs from Punjab, making the development particularly consequential for the state's political representation.
What Chief Minister Mann Said
Mann earlier told reporters that the Rashtrapati Bhawan had confirmed the meeting. "We will meet the President of India to raise the issue of illegal and unlawful defection by seven Rajya Sabha MPs," he said. He did not mince words about the defectors: "These MPs who have disrespected the mandate of the people deserve no mercy as they are the traitors of Punjab and Punjabis."
Responding to those who have characterised the defections as routine political movement, Mann said: "Those who are terming this defection as the order of the day or a tradition are justifying a grave disregard for the people's verdict. This is unacceptable, and those speaking in such a manner appear to be preparing to shift their allegiance."
Mann Asserts Government's Stability
Amid speculation about the Punjab government's position, Mann reaffirmed that the state administration "enjoys full confidence both inside and outside the Vidhan Sabha, making any demand for a floor test unnecessary." He pointed to the smooth passage of the state budget and other legislation as proof of the ruling party's majority. "Every single small or big bill passes the floor test, which clearly reflects that the government is in an absolute majority in the House," he added.
Political Context and What Comes Next
The defections represent one of the most significant organisational setbacks for AAP at the national level since the party's 2022 Punjab sweep. Notably, the Upper House losses limit AAP's ability to raise legislative issues on the national stage, even as the party retains its grip on the Punjab assembly. Mann also took aim at critics questioning the rationale for convening a Vidhan Sabha session, asking them to "first answer for the guarantees fulfilled by the Narendra Modi government before raising questions about us." The outcome of the presidential meeting — and whether any formal disqualification proceedings are initiated — will be closely watched in the coming days.
Point of View
Six from a single state — is not routine political churn; it is a structural blow to AAP's national ambitions. The party built its Rajya Sabha presence on the back of Punjab's 2022 mandate, and watching that bloc dissolve into BJP in barely four years exposes a deeper organisational fragility. Mann's presidential gambit is politically necessary but legally uncertain: anti-defection provisions for Rajya Sabha members operate on different thresholds than for Lok Sabha, and mass defections above the one-third mark of a parliamentary party have historically survived legal scrutiny. The real question is whether AAP can convert this grievance into electoral sympathy in Punjab, or whether voters will read it as an internal failure of party discipline.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann meet President Droupadi Murmu?
Mann met President Murmu on 5 May 2026 to formally protest what he called the 'illegal and unlawful defection' of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to BJP. He sought presidential intervention, arguing the defections betray the people's mandate.
Which AAP MPs defected to BJP?
The seven MPs who defected from AAP to BJP are Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Harbhajan Singh, Vikram Sahney, Swati Maliwal, and Rajinder Gupta. Six of the seven are Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab.
How has the defection affected AAP's strength in the Rajya Sabha?
AAP's Rajya Sabha strength has fallen sharply from 10 seats to just 3 following the defections as of April 2026. This significantly weakens the party's ability to raise and contest legislation in the Upper House.
Is the Punjab government at risk due to these defections?
No, according to CM Mann. He stated the Punjab government enjoys full confidence inside and outside the Vidhan Sabha, and pointed to the smooth passage of the state budget as evidence of an absolute majority. He dismissed demands for a floor test as unnecessary.
What action could follow the presidential meeting?
It is not yet confirmed what formal steps will follow Mann's meeting with President Murmu. Possible avenues include petitions for disqualification under anti-defection rules, though such proceedings for Rajya Sabha members face a higher legal threshold than for Lok Sabha MPs.
