'There are rumours ... ': Mann moves trust motion in Punjab assembly, days after RS blow

NEW DELHI: The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) authorities connected Friday moved a assurance question successful the Punjab assembly, days aft a large setback successful the Rajya Sabha wherever 7 of its MPs, including Raghav Chadha, defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Chief curate Bhagwant Mann tabled the question during a peculiar one-day league of the Punjab assembly, asserting that the enactment remained "strong" contempt caller developments, quality bureau PTI reported.Addressing the House, Mann dismissed speculation astir instability wrong the party. "There are rumours that AAP volition beryllium finished and its MLAs volition power sides. Such rumours make an illusion successful people’s minds," helium said.Reiterating AAP’s nationalist footprint, Mann said the enactment continues to person a beingness crossed aggregate states.

"From Jammu and Kashmir to Goa, the enactment has a presence. We person an MLA successful Doda, governments moving successfully successful Punjab, and practice successful states similar Gujarat and Goa," helium added.The ruling enactment had issued a whip to each its legislators to guarantee afloat attendance during the session.In the 117-member Punjab assembly, AAP holds a commanding bulk with 94 MLAs. The Congress has 16 members, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) three, the BJP two, the BSP one, and 1 Independent legislator.

The assurance question comes successful the backdrop of a governmental setback for AAP connected April 24, erstwhile 7 of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and Harbhajan Singh, resigned and joined the BJP, alleging that the enactment had deviated from its halfway principles and values. Six of the defecting MPs were from Punjab.