New Delhi: Following shock exit of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is reportedly preparing to seek disqualification of of Chadha and 6 other ‘rebel’ MPs who are likely to join BJP, said a report in News18 citing sources.

Raghav Chadha along with other party MPs Ashok Mittal and Dr Sandeep Pathak joined the BJP after announcing their resignation during a media briefing in New Delhi on Friday.

The report suggested that AAP is expected to name Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Swati Maliwal and four others MPs that it wants  disqualified for backing the split in the party.

Anti-defection law comes into play

In this situation, the AAP may invoke the anti-defection law. The law comes into play when a party leader quits the party or stops following its orders. The law is meant to discourage leaders from switching the party during the term in office.

For Arvind Kejriwal, the split in the party is a big headache which comes at a time when the party is facing challenges at different front including losing the power in Delhi to BJP last year.

The great split : AAP’s fight to save its future

Instead of a smooth journey, the party is now facing a messy legal fight. The leaders who stayed in the party are trying to use the rulebook to punish those who left. Meanwhile, the party’s future faces further challenges amid the shock defection.

Raghav Chadha was accused of staying silent and not publicly defending Arvind Kejriwal during the tough times for the party. The alleged lack of support from Chadha led to a loss of trust within the party which resulted in his removal as Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader of AAP.

(Curated by Faiza Nazar)