Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Mahua Moitra on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha after two-thirds of AAP’s Rajya Sabha members joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing him of choosing an alliance with the ruling party and preferring to be part of the BJP’s crimes.
Sharing X’s post, the TMC MP wrote: “He would rather be part of BJP’s crimes.” Moitra attached the article in which he was quoted: ‘I didn’t want to be part of AAP crimes: Raghav Chadha and six other MPs join BJP’
The TMC MP’s remarks come after the trio of MPs – Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal – parted ways with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday and subsequently joined the BJP in the presence of the party leadership who welcomed their decision.
On Friday, while addressing a press conference in the national capital, Chadha said that he, along with six AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, had informed the Speaker, as per rules, of quitting the party. Now, the Aam Aadmi Party is also set to send a letter to the Rajya Sabha Speaker in the matter. He formalized a split that had been brewing for weeks, announcing that two-thirds of the party’s MLAs would merge with the BJP.
Meanwhile, the AAP has now started working on a new strategy. Deliberations are underway among party leaders regarding the situation. Late last night, after returning from a visit to Gujarat, senior party leader Manish Sisodia met party leader Arvind Kejriwal at his residence.
Manish Sisodia was in Rajkot to campaign for the party in the municipal elections in Gujarat. “After returning to Delhi late at night, Sisodia went directly from the airport to party leader Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. The two leaders met for more than half an hour. During the meeting, they also discussed the possible impact of the split and what the future strategy should be,” party sources said.
“Senate Chief Whip ND Gupta will submit a letter to the Rajya Sabha Speaker against Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal,” party sources said.
“Gupta’s letter will seek action as per the anti-defection law. These three leaders were seen in public joining the BJP. The remaining four were not seen in the public domain, leading to the move. Hence, the chief whip will file a complaint against the three MPs who were seen in the BJP office,” a party source added. (that I)
