New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) Terming the AAP Rajya Sabha members who switched over to the BJP “not elected but selected”, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu and demanded the cancellation of the membership of six belonging to the state.

CM Mann arrived in Delhi along with MLAs from Punjab earlier in the day and submitted a signed memorandum at Rashtrapati Bhavan, asserting that the dramatic rise in the BJP’s Rajya Sabha numbers despite having just two MLAs in Punjab represents a blatant distortion of the democratic mandate.

Calling the seven MPs “not elected but selected”, he said switching loyalties as a betrayal of Punjab rather than an act of political choice, challenged them to resign and seek a fresh mandate, and warned that neither Central agencies nor political power would shield wrongdoing, while firmly declaring that attempts like “Operation Lotus” would never succeed in a state that does not tolerate betrayal.

Addressing the media after meeting the President, CM Mann said: “Murder of democracy has taken place as seven members of the Rajya Sabha have defected. It is unconstitutional as either the entire party should have passed a resolution, but these seven MPs switched their loyalty unconstitutionally, thereby making a mockery of democracy.”

“The BJP has two MLAs (in the state Assembly) but seven Rajya Sabha members, a joke with the Constitution of the country. These MPs should have resigned before joining the new party, which they used to condemn earlier,” he added. R

Raising the demand for systemic reform, the Chief Minister said: “An amendment should be made in the Constitution for making provision of recall, as Raghav Chadha had been demanding, so that these MPs can be punished for treachery.”

Stressing Punjabis don’t tolerate such backstabbing, and these RS members will be punished by the people of the state, he said that these leaders are now baffled, due to which they are making illogical statements.

“Joining the BJP doesn’t mean that these leaders can’t be booked for their misdeeds. Even if more reports come regarding their sins, they will definitely be booked in the future too,” the Chief Minister warned.

Taking a firm position on accountability, he said: “The shield of the BJP can save them from the law in other states, but not in Punjab. These leaders should refrain from threatening Punjabis as they will bounce back and show them their real position.”

“These selected leaders elected by the representatives of the people should be dismissed from the House for backstabbing the people of the state.”

Mann also accused the BJP of “violating the Constitution by misuse of central agencies. It is ironic that the same Ashok Mittal, whose premises were raided by the ED (Enforcement Directorate) a few days back, was provided Z plus security by the BJP.”

On the circumstances surrounding the defections, he said: “This was an arm-twisting strategy of the BJP. Raghav Chadha, who used to consistently say the BJP is a washing machine without detergent where the sins of political leaders are washed, is now hand in glove with the same party.”

“Raghav Chadha has put his foot in his mouth by joining the saffron party. He should have resigned before joining the BJP.”

–IANS

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