Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak is facing legal challenges in Punjab just days after his high-profile defection from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against Pathak under non-bailable sections, according to government sources cited by Hindustan Times. Punjab Police are reportedly making efforts to apprehend the accused.
Political Shift and Immediate Repercussions
Pathak's move to the BJP was part of a larger exodus, as he is one of seven Rajya Sabha MPs who recently left the AAP to join the saffron party. This shift significantly impacted the AAP's strength in the Upper House, reducing its representation from 10 to 3 MPs.
During his tenure with the AAP, Sandeep Pathak played a crucial role in the party's operations within Punjab. He is widely credited for his strategic contributions that led to the AAP's decisive victory against the Congress in the 2022 assembly elections.
Wider Implications for Defecting Leaders
Pathak is not the only prominent figure to encounter scrutiny after switching allegiance from AAP to BJP. In a separate incident, a team from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) raided the Trident Group's Dhaula unit in Barnala district. This action occurred shortly after Rajinder Gupta, chairman emeritus of the Trident Group, also joined the BJP. PPCB officials collected samples of effluent and groundwater to ensure adherence to environmental safety standards.
The other Rajya Sabha MPs who recently moved from AAP to BJP include Raghav Chadha, Harbhajan Singh, Swati Maliwal, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney, and Ashok Mittal. With the exception of Swati Maliwal, the remaining MPs represented Punjab in the Rajya Sabha.