New Delhi witnessed a rapid security escalation on Sunday when the CRPF stepped in to offer ‘Y-category’ protection to Rajya Sabha MPs Harbhajan Singh and Ashok Mittal, just hours after Punjab’s AAP government stripped the cricketer-turned-politician of his state-provided security.
This central government action highlights the volatile atmosphere surrounding high-profile exits from AAP. With threats looming, CRPF personnel have been deployed at their homes to ensure round-the-clock vigilance.
The catalyst was Raghav Chadha’s bombshell press conference, where the defecting AAP MP revealed that he, along with six others—Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Swati Maliwal, and Rajendra Gupta—were set to join the BJP. Chadha, recently ousted from his Deputy Leader role in favor of Mittal, timed his announcement to maximize impact.
Ashok Mittal, a seasoned parliamentarian since 2022, brings significant experience from various committees. The news triggered immediate backlash from AAP loyalists, who gathered outside the MPs’ residences, torching effigies and chanting anti-defection slogans. This unrest prompted security forces to heighten alerts.
As defections rock AAP’s foundation, Punjab’s political scene simmers with uncertainty. The central security provision not only protects these leaders but also signals New Delhi’s close watch on the unfolding crisis, potentially reshaping alliances ahead of key electoral battles.
