Two FIRs have been registered against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak in Punjab, days after his exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and subsequent move to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The development comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the Punjab elections.
Shift from AAP to BJP
Pathak was among seven Rajya Sabha MPs who recently left AAP and joined the BJP. The group includes Raghav Chadha, Swati Maliwal, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney, Harbhajan Singh and Ashok Mittal. Except for Maliwal, all represent Punjab.
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Their exit has reduced AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha from 10 to three, marking a significant political shift.
FIRs registered, details unclear
The exact grounds for the FIRs are yet to be officially disclosed. However, government sources indicated that the cases have been filed under non-bailable sections.
“Punjab Police is making efforts to arrest the accused as FIRs have been registered under non-bailable sections,” HT reported citing government sources.
There has been no formal confirmation from Punjab Police so far. When asked about the reports, Pathak told ANI, “I have no idea of any FIR against me.”
BJP alleges political motive
The BJP has strongly criticised the move, alleging it is politically motivated. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla raised questions over the timing of the FIRs.
"Two FIRs have been filed against Sandeep Pathak, who until recently was in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a Rajya Sabha MP and general secretary (organisation). What is baffling is the shameless, brazen vendetta politics being pursued by Arvind Kejriwal, with Bhagwant Mann complicit in it," Poonawalla wrote, per HT.
He added, "It is clear this has been done out of vendetta politics by Kejriwal, who is extremely vengeful and vindictive, and misuses the Punjab Police to pursue such political vendetta."
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Questioning the sequence of events, he said, "If these cases existed from the beginning, why were FIRs not filed earlier? If he was corrupt, why was he kept in the party for so long, especially when he was the general secretary (organisation)? Has any new material surfaced in the last few days, or has the alleged corruption occurred only now?"
Wider political reactions
BJP leader Tarun Chugh also criticised the development and was quoted as saying by HT, “A palpable atmosphere of resentment against the AAP government has taken root in the minds of the people. It is out of this very frustration, despair, and angst that these vindictive actions are being carried out. However, the people of Punjab are not ones to be intimidated; Punjab will not bow down," ANI quoted him as saying.
The FIRs have added to the ongoing political tensions in Punjab, with both sides trading allegations as the situation continues to unfold.
