Rajya Sabha Chairperson acted in haste: Abhishek Singhvi on AAP MPs' merger with BJP

In an interview with India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, senior Congress MP and eminent jurist Abhishek Manu Singhvi discusses the legality of seven out of ten Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs merging with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Singhvi argues that the merger violates the anti-defection law, explaining that the Tenth Schedule requires two conditions to be met for a valid merger. He states, 'Condition one, a political party X must agree to merge itself... And secondly... the legislature party of that political party, two-thirds of those approve of such merger.' Singhvi points out that the Aam Aadmi Party did not intend to merge with any party, making the MLAs liable to defection. He also criticises the Rajya Sabha chairperson for recognising the merged group without a reasoned order, noting, 'He has erred. He has in fact acted too much in haste by not giving a reasoned order.' Singhvi emphasises that the chairperson acts as an adjudicator under the Tenth Schedule and remains subject to full judicial review.