In a major political escalation following the desertion of seven Rajya Sabha members, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu on May 5, 2026. The meeting, set for 12:00 PM at Rashtrapati Bhavan, aims to address what Mann describes as a “betrayal of the people’s mandate.”
The Exodus and “Operation Lotus”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered a crippling blow on April 24, when seven of its ten Rajya Sabha MPs—including high-profile figures Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Harbhajan Singh—announced their resignation from the party to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Other defectors include Ashok Mittal, Sanjeev Arora, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, and Swati Maliwal.
The defecting group, led by Chadha, claims to represent two-thirds of the party’s strength in the Upper House, a move designed to bypass the Anti-Defection Law. They cited a “deviation from core principles” and “internal corruption” as reasons for their exit. Meanwhile, AAP leadership has dismissed these claims, accusing the BJP of orchestrating “Operation Lotus” through the misuse of central agencies.
Mann’s “Recall” Demand
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has termed the defectors “gaddars” (traitors) and sought the President’s intervention to “safeguard democratic values.”
The Delegation: Mann originally requested a collective meeting with all AAP MLAs from Punjab. However, the President has granted an audience to the Chief Minister alone.
The Strategy: Mann confirmed he will still travel to Delhi with his fellow MLAs, who will wait outside Rashtrapati Bhavan as a show of unity while he presents the “voice of Punjab” inside.
The Objective: The Chief Minister intends to demand a “recall” of the defected legislators, arguing that since they were elected by AAP MLAs—who in turn represent millions of Punjabis—their shift to the BJP is a direct violation of the public’s choice.
Political Implications
The split significantly weakens AAP’s presence in the Rajya Sabha while bolstering the BJP’s numbers. As the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections loom, this constitutional battle marks a high-stakes standoff between the state government and the Center. While legal experts note that Indian law currently lacks a “Right to Recall” provision, Mann’s meeting is seen as a vital symbolic move to consolidate his remaining base in Punjab.