Senior Raghav Chadha on Friday responded strongly after being removed as the Aam Aadmi Party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, saying he has been “silenced, not defeated.”
The party has not only removed him from the post but has also written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat requesting that he not be allotted speaking time from AAP’s quota. The party has proposed Ashok Mittal as the new deputy leader in his place.
Chadha, a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party since 2012, had been serving as deputy leader since 2023.
‘Have I done something wrong?’: Chadha questions party move
In a video message shared on social media, Chadha addressed the public directly and questioned the decision.
“Silenced, not defeated. Have I done something wrong? Whenever I talk, I only talk about problems faced by common people. Why would someone stop me from speaking and raising issues of public interest?” he said.
He added, “Don’t mistake my silence for surrender. I’m a quiet river now, but I know how to rise into a flood,” and appealed to supporters to stand by him.
The message followed a montage video posted by Chadha highlighting issues he had raised in Parliament, including middle-class taxation, food adulteration, mobile data expiry, paternity leave, and high airport prices.
AAP leaders accuse Chadha of ignoring ‘real issues’
The party leadership hit back sharply, accusing Chadha of focusing on “frivolous” issues instead of major national concerns.
AAP’s national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda said, “In Parliament, the party gets very little time. In that, we can either struggle to save the country or talk about making samosas cheaper at airports.”
He alleged that Chadha avoided speaking on key issues such as arrests of party workers, electoral concerns, and protests. “For the last few years you have got scared, Raghav. You hesitate to speak against Modi,” Dhanda said.
Atishi, Mann raise tough questions
Senior leader Atishi also questioned Chadha’s silence on issues like rising LPG prices and alleged attacks on democracy.
“Are you scared of Modi Ji? Why do you fear the BJP so much?” she asked, adding that Chadha did not speak even when the party raised concerns about price rise and workers’ protests.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended the party’s decision, calling it routine.
“Those who break party lines should be subjected to action. If you go against the party whip, you are bound to face action,” Mann said, adding that Chadha appeared “compromised.”
Internal rift surfaces within AAP
The development has exposed internal tensions within the AAP, with several senior leaders, including Saurabh Bhardwaj and Sanjay Singh, reportedly critical of Chadha’s stance.
Amid growing speculation, there are also reports that Chadha may leave the party and join another political formation, though no official confirmation has been made.
BJP attacks AAP leadership
The Bharatiya Janata Party also weighed in, targeting AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said the party has become centered around one individual.
“This shows AAP is no longer a party of the common people but of one individual,” he said.
Political tensions rise ahead of key debates
The controversy comes at a time when Parliament is witnessing heated debates on issues like price rise, governance, and elections.
As the internal conflict deepens, Chadha’s remarks and the party’s response signal a significant political flashpoint within AAP, with potential implications for its future strategy and leadership unity.
