NEW DELHI: After the exodus of 7 Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MPs, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to meet President Draupadi Murmu on May 5 to “safeguard the mandate of the people.”Man has sought time to meet the President along with party MLAs to press for the “recall” of seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs who merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party.In a social media post on X, Mann said that though he had sought time to meet the President Draupadi Murmu along with AAP MLAs from the state over the issue of defection of 7 Rajya Sabha MPs, the President has agreed to meet him alone on May 5 at 12 noon.He said he will reach Rashtrapati Bhawan with party MLAs from the state and they will wait outside.”It is our duty to safeguard the mandate of the people of Punjab and the democratic values. I am delighted to inform you that the Honourable President Droupadi Murmu Ji has granted a meeting time of 12 noon on 5 May. Although we had requested time for all MLAs, I alone have received the invitation to meet,” Mann said.”I shall arrive at Rashtrapati Bhavan with my fellow MLAs. My fellow MLAs will remain outside, and I shall go in to present the voice of Punjab and the people’s side with full strength before the Honourable President Ji on behalf of all. The next strategy will be shared following the meeting. Heartfelt thanks to the Honourable President Ji for giving this precious time,” he added.However, there is no provision for recalling a legislator in the law.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, alleging that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who quit AAP were from Punjab.“We have decided that we, two-thirds of members belonging to the AAP in the Rajya Sabha, will exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge with the BJP,” Raghav Chadha said at a press conference.The fallout followed weeks of escalating tensions between Chadha and the party leadership. Earlier this month, he was removed as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and accused by senior leaders of engaging in “soft PR” instead of aggressively taking on the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.His growing distance from the party had become evident over the past year as Chadha was abroad when Kejriwal was arrested in the excise policy case in March 2024 and remained away during his nearly six-month incarceration.Senior party leaders also alleged that Chadha had been reluctant to raise issues aligned with AAP’s political stand. They pointed to his refusal to sign a notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his failure to join opposition walkouts in Parliament.Chadha, however had rejected these allegations, calling them “white lies” and challenging the party to provide evidence.Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Monday officially accepted the merger of the MPs with the BJP, reducing the strength of Arvind Kejriwal’s party in the Upper House to three.According to the updated list, the Congress has 29 members, while the Trinamool Congress holds 13 seats. The DMK has 8 members, followed by the YSR Congress Party with 7. The Biju Janata Dal has 6 members, and the AIADMK has 5. The Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party and Nationalist Congress Party have 4 members each.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhy the India-Bangladesh Border Fencing Delay Is Under SC and High Court Scrutiny: ExplainedDRDO & Indian Navy Successfully Conduct Maiden Salvo Launch Of NASM-SR Missile System12 Killed, Dozens Injured As Pickup Collides With SUV On Indore–Ahmedabad HighwayNYC Mayor Mamdani Says He’ll Urge King Charles To Return Kohinoor DiamondRaghav Chadha Fallout: Who Really Wins and Loses in Punjab?Mumbai–Pune Expressway’s ‘Missing Link’ Opens May 1: Faster Travel, Better Safety, No Extra Toll90-Year-Old Rejects Apology, Then Court Pushes ₹20 Crore Case to 2046Ganga Expressway Inaugurated: What ₹1,500 Toll Gets You on UP’s 594-km High-Speed Corridor | PM ModiUAE Quits OPEC In Big Oil Shake-Up: What It Means For India‘Siddaramaiah Ready To Step Down As Karnataka CM If Rahul Gandhi Asks’: Ex-Minister Rajanna123PhotostoriesWhat to plant in Australia this month: Complete seasonal gardening guide (and care tips)7 elite residential areas in Faridabad shaping real estate growthHow to grow banana tree at home (Simple step-by-step guide for beginners)UNESCO-recognised rail wonders of India and why they’re among the world’s most unique train experiencesAfter 35, your bones start weakening silently: What most women aren’t told early5 lessons from Premanand Ji Maharaj for a more peaceful, happy, and fulfilling life10 divine baby girl names inspired by Goddess Durga6 low-maintenance plants that survive even if you forget to water themMorning affirmation at 5am: Wake up, check in for a soul resetHow to make Cucumber Sandwich for a light summer breakfast123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseMumbai L&T NewsDelhi NewsBengaluru FlyoverDelhi Mumbai ExpresswayMumbai Double MurderMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: After the exodus of 7 Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MPs, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to meet President Draupadi Murmu on May 5 to “safeguard the mandate of the people.”Man has sought time to meet the President along with party MLAs to press for the “recall” of seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs who merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party.In a social media post on X, Mann said that though he had sought time to meet the President Draupadi Murmu along with AAP MLAs from the state over the issue of defection of 7 Rajya Sabha MPs, the President has agreed to meet him alone on May 5 at 12 noon.He said he will reach Rashtrapati Bhawan with party MLAs from the state and they will wait outside.“It is our duty to safeguard the mandate of the people of Punjab and the democratic values. I am delighted to inform you that the Honourable President Droupadi Murmu Ji has granted a meeting time of 12 noon on 5 May. Although we had requested time for all MLAs, I alone have received the invitation to meet,” Mann said.“I shall arrive at Rashtrapati Bhavan with my fellow MLAs. My fellow MLAs will remain outside, and I shall go in to present the voice of Punjab and the people’s side with full strength before the Honourable President Ji on behalf of all. The next strategy will be shared following the meeting. Heartfelt thanks to the Honourable President Ji for giving this precious time,” he added.However, there is no provision for recalling a legislator in the law.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, alleging that the party had strayed from its principles, values and core morals. Six of the seven MPs who quit AAP were from Punjab.“We have decided that we, two-thirds of members belonging to the AAP in the Rajya Sabha, will exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge with the BJP,” Raghav Chadha said at a press conference.The fallout followed weeks of escalating tensions between Chadha and the party leadership. Earlier this month, he was removed as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and accused by senior leaders of engaging in “soft PR” instead of aggressively taking on the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.His growing distance from the party had become evident over the past year as Chadha was abroad when Kejriwal was arrested in the excise policy case in March 2024 and remained away during his nearly six-month incarceration.Senior party leaders also alleged that Chadha had been reluctant to raise issues aligned with AAP’s political stand. They pointed to his refusal to sign a notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and his failure to join opposition walkouts in Parliament.Chadha, however had rejected these allegations, calling them “white lies” and challenging the party to provide evidence.Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Monday officially accepted the merger of the MPs with the BJP, reducing the strength of Arvind Kejriwal’s party in the Upper House to three.According to the updated list, the Congress has 29 members, while the Trinamool Congress holds 13 seats. The DMK has 8 members, followed by the YSR Congress Party with 7. The Biju Janata Dal has 6 members, and the AIADMK has 5. The Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party and Nationalist Congress Party have 4 members each.
