The BJP-led NDA is reportedly seeking support from opposition MPs to strengthen its numbers in the Lok Sabha. Sources suggest that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) faction might see some of its nine Lok Sabha MPs defect, potentially merging with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena to avoid disqualification under anti-defection laws.
Seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs have officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, bolstering the NDA's numbers in the Upper House. This move, facilitated by the anti-defection law's provision for two-thirds party mergers, sees the BJP's strength increase significantly. The party anticipates further gains by year-end, nearing a crucial two-thirds majority.
Seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs, including Raghav Chadha, have defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing ideological differences. The AAP plans to seek their disqualification under the anti-defection law, though the party believes the law's provisions for party mergers may apply.
After two-thirds of AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs defected to the BJP, senior leader Manish Sisodia met with party convenor Arvind Kejriwal to strategize response. The party plans to lodge a complaint with the Rajya Sabha Chairman seeking action under the anti-defection law against three visible defectors: Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, and Ashok Mittal. The split followed weeks of internal rift after AAP leadership removed Chadha as deputy leader in Rajya Sabha.
Legal experts say seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs led by Raghav Chadha joining BJP would not violate anti-defection law because Section 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule allows merger if two-thirds of legislature party approves. AAP has 10 MPs in RS, and seven constitutes the required two-thirds threshold.
Legal experts say seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs joining BJP would not violate the Tenth Schedule as two-thirds of AAP's legislature party (7 of 10 MPs) can legally merge with another party under Section 4(2) of the anti-defection law. Experts noted the arbiter of such disputes—the Speaker—often owes their position to the ruling dispensation, making disqualification difficult.
Renowned legal experts have stated that seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs led by Raghav Chadha joining the BJP would not violate the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule. Section 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule permits merger if two-thirds of a legislature party approves, and with AAP having 10 MPs in Rajya Sabha, seven constitutes the required two-thirds threshold. Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi, Neeraj Kishan Kaul, Maninder Singh, and A M Singhvi highlighted that the presiding officer who arbitrates such disputes owes their position to the ruling dispensation, making disqualification difficult.
