Balbir Singh Seechewal has given reasons as to why he has opted to stay with Aam Aadmi Party despite seven of its Rajya Sabha MPs recently crossing the floor. It is interesting to note that out of those who left, six were Punjabis and Seechewal was the only Punjab MP to remain behind.
The Padma Shri-winning environmentalist disclosed that he had been contacted earlier to the defection. He said Vikramjit Sahney had invited and told him that they were to organize a separatist group, and he should join in and sign a statement. However, Seechewal replied that he turned down the offer categorically, saying that he was not interested in quitting party.
He also remembered another encounter with Raghav Chadha at a session of Parliament in April. Chadha had called him to a tea-table talk, but Seechewal said he did not get into conversation with him, but preferred to avoid these. He explained that he had never had any serious talks of defection.
AAP MPs quitting in large numbers and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party has elicited political controversy. The defecting faction argued that the party was no longer following the original principles of the party, and Chadha accused it of corruption and undermined leadership.
Seechewal did not change his mind even after the political situation changed, with his loyalty and personal conviction being his reasons to remain. His announcement has attracted controversy as one of the few examples of opposition in the face of massive political reorganization in Punjab.