Harbhajan Singh security withdrawn: Days after former cricketer-turned-MP Harbhajan Singh switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the latter has withdrawn his security cover. As per reports citing official sources, Singh had been provided security comprising 10 police personnel, and was withdrawn on Saturday.

Notably, the security had been stationed at his house in Jalandhar’s Chhotti Baradari area. While an official confirmation is still awaited from the authorities, the personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were seen deployed outside his residence on Sunday.

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Harbhajan Singh[/caption]

Harbhajan Singh security withdrawn: 7 MPs parted ways with AAP

It is noteworthy that the move comes in light of a dramatic political shift, after seven Rajya Sabha MPs, including Singh, recently left AAP to join the BJP. Several prominent leaders including Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak, along with Ashok Mittal, Rajinder Gupta, Swati Maliwal and Vikramjit Sahney also made the switch.

While announcing his exit, Chadha alleged that the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP had deviated from its founding principles and values. He added that the group had merged with the BJP as a faction.

Protests staged outside defecting MPs

The defections prompted sharp reactions from AAP workers and leaders. On Saturday, the supporters of AAP staged protests outside the houses of all the defecting MPs, including Singh, in Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Demonstrators hailed slogans and spray-painted the boundary walls of Singh’s house, branding him as a ‘Gaddar’ (traitor). Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann also slammed the BJP over the development, and accused it of orchestrating the defections to destabilise the party in the state. He too termed the departing leaders ‘Gaddars’ and claimed that the move amounted to a betrayal of the people of Punjab.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh also chipped in, announcing that the party would approach the Rajya Sabha chairman and the Vice President, seeking the disqualification of the seven MPs under anti-defection laws.

“Such splits not recognised in Rajya Sabha”: Singh

While talking to the media, Singh asserted that the formation of a faction within the Parliament is not legally valid under the anti-defection law, even if supported by a two-thirds majority.

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