. NEW DELHI: Delhi leader of opposition and AAP MLA Atishi on Tuesday strongly criticised the Rajya Sabha Secretariat’s notification accepting the merger of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs into the BJP, calling it “unlawful and unconstitutional.”She said the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority of the legislative party for a merger between political parties, and under anti-defection laws there is no provision allowing 2/3rd MPs or MLAs to merge with another party.“The merger notification by Rajya Sabha Secretariat yesterday is unlawful and unconstitutional. Supreme Court’s constitution bench has passed clear orders and it is clearly written in the Constitution, and AAP MP Sanjay Singh had also informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat about the same – that as per the Constitution, when the original political party merges, for that merger 2/3rd legislative party is also required. But under anti-defection laws, there is no provision in this country that 2/3rd MPs or MLAs can merge with another party,” said Atishi.Atishi further warned PM Modi that “the greater the atrocities you unleash, the worse the fate you will meet.”“But how does it matter to the BJP? BJP wants to finish off the Constitution and democracy of this country by hook or by crook…I would like to tell the BJP and PM Narendra Modi that history says that the greater the atrocities you unleash, the worse the fate you will meet. It is clear that the time for the end of BJP and Modi ji’s politics is near. So, their atrocities have increased. But in the history of this world, whenever atrocities have increased, there has come along someone to end those atrocities,” said Atishi.The remarks come after the merger of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs with the BJP was approved by the Rajya Sabha Chairman, increasing the BJP’s strength in the Upper House to 113. The MPs who switched include Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal.With this development, the AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha has come down to three members.Responding to Union minister Kiren Rijiju’s comments on the issue, Atishi also highlighted the party’s performance under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership and said it reflects public demand for an alternative political force.“BJP wrote an obituary for the AAP 15 times in the last 15 years. Every 6 months, BJP announces that Arvind Kejriwal’s politics is finished. But under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, AAP is the country’s fastest-growing party. In just 10 years, the party formed a Govt in Delhi thrice, contested the election in Punjab for the first time and became the principal opposition and when it contested the second time it won a landslide majority, our MLAs won in Gujarat and Goa, we even have an MLA in J&K,” Atishi said.“These clearly show that the people of this country are looking for an alternative, for a different politics. AAP is becoming that alternative. Now, when trial court, CBI court order has exposed BJP’s conspiracy, they are restless. The nation has seen how a conspiracy was hatched against Arvind Kejriwal, how false allegations were levelled…The entire conspriacy is before the country, so, once again ED, CBI is being misused by the BJP,” she added.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 MediaVideosAtishi Hits Back At BJP: Rejects Rijiju’s Claims, Calls AAP a Fast-Growing Political ForceAtishi Targets Modi, BJP Over Rs 2500 Promise; Asks ‘When Will Delhi Women Get Money?’”Tharoor Accepted Congress Is Anti-Women”: Rijiju’s Claim Puts Party On BackfootAfter Kejriwal, Sisodia Recuses Himself From Excise Case Hearing Before Justice SharmaIndia ‘Condemns’ Strikes On Commercial Vessels At UNSC MeetMumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express Derails On Diamond Crossing While Entering Pune StationFour Killed, 70 Hurt As Taliban Blames Pak Strikes, Peace Hopes ShakenNDA Nears 2/3 Majority As NDA Numbers Swell in Rajya Sabha After AAP Exodus’Party Of Billionaires’: Congress Attacks AAP After 7 Rajya Sabha MPs Join BJPIran Attacks Togo-Flagged Tanker With 17 Indian Seafarers Near Oman; All Safe123PhotostoriesHow to make a small Bengaluru flat look bigger without spending much7 European vegetables that can grow in the balcony during this season“I am vegetarian, so I need to get my protein”: Sundar Pichai’s daily breakfast includes these 3 foodsIndia’s pilgrimage season is here: 10 pilgrimage sites to build your itinerary around4 harmful effects of screen time on child development5 dangerous pets that were created by humans against natureArsh Aulakh weds Mehreen Pirzada: Decoding the dreamy pink Anarkali Mehreen Pirzada wore for her Anand Karaj8 characteristics of investor-friendly residential locationsChef Pankaj Bhadouria’s High-Protein Paratha Premix offers 15 g protein per serving8 small behaviors of people who are always mentally sharp123Hot PicksAmit ShahMamata BanerjeeBengal Women VotersPM Rally GunfireAssembly Election 2026Bengal Oath CeremonyTrinamool CongressTop TrendingSaeed Sheikh AfridiTamil Nadu electionPM modiSalim DolaAssam HS 12th ResultManish SisodiaMumbai Watermelon Poisoning newsBengal PollsJack GrealishIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: Delhi leader of opposition and AAP MLA Atishi on Tuesday strongly criticised the Rajya Sabha Secretariat’s notification accepting the merger of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs into the BJP, calling it “unlawful and unconstitutional.”She said the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority of the legislative party for a merger between political parties, and under anti-defection laws there is no provision allowing 2/3rd MPs or MLAs to merge with another party.“The merger notification by Rajya Sabha Secretariat yesterday is unlawful and unconstitutional. Supreme Court’s constitution bench has passed clear orders and it is clearly written in the Constitution, and AAP MP Sanjay Singh had also informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat about the same – that as per the Constitution, when the original political party merges, for that merger 2/3rd legislative party is also required. But under anti-defection laws, there is no provision in this country that 2/3rd MPs or MLAs can merge with another party,” said Atishi.Atishi further warned PM Modi that “the greater the atrocities you unleash, the worse the fate you will meet.”“But how does it matter to the BJP? BJP wants to finish off the Constitution and democracy of this country by hook or by crook…I would like to tell the BJP and PM Narendra Modi that history says that the greater the atrocities you unleash, the worse the fate you will meet. It is clear that the time for the end of BJP and Modi ji’s politics is near. So, their atrocities have increased. But in the history of this world, whenever atrocities have increased, there has come along someone to end those atrocities,” said Atishi.The remarks come after the merger of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs with the BJP was approved by the Rajya Sabha Chairman, increasing the BJP’s strength in the Upper House to 113. The MPs who switched include Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Swati Maliwal.With this development, the AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha has come down to three members.Responding to Union minister Kiren Rijiju’s comments on the issue, Atishi also highlighted the party’s performance under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership and said it reflects public demand for an alternative political force.“BJP wrote an obituary for the AAP 15 times in the last 15 years. Every 6 months, BJP announces that Arvind Kejriwal’s politics is finished. But under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, AAP is the country’s fastest-growing party. In just 10 years, the party formed a Govt in Delhi thrice, contested the election in Punjab for the first time and became the principal opposition and when it contested the second time it won a landslide majority, our MLAs won in Gujarat and Goa, we even have an MLA in J&K,” Atishi said.“These clearly show that the people of this country are looking for an alternative, for a different politics. AAP is becoming that alternative. Now, when trial court, CBI court order has exposed BJP’s conspiracy, they are restless. The nation has seen how a conspiracy was hatched against Arvind Kejriwal, how false allegations were levelled…The entire conspriacy is before the country, so, once again ED, CBI is being misused by the BJP,” she added.