On Friday, multiple leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party released videos publicly criticizing fellow party member Raghav Chadha, accusing him of failing to speak out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led central government. What initially appeared to be an internal disagreement has now escalated into a visible and coordinated attack by party members against Chadha, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab.
The party, which until recently projected Chadha as a prominent voice raising issues concerning the common people in the Rajya Sabha, abruptly removed him from his role as deputy leader. The justification provided was that he was no longer addressing what the party considered “real issues.” This decision marked a sharp shift in the party’s stance toward a leader who had once been regarded as a close and trusted associate of Arvind Kejriwal.
At present, Chadha is facing intense criticism from within his own party ranks. Several AAP leaders have come forward in a unified tone, alleging that he has been reluctant or afraid to openly criticize the Prime Minister and has not stood firmly with the party during crucial moments. These accusations have been amplified through a series of videos shared publicly, indicating a deliberate show of collective dissent against him.
Responding to the developments, Chadha broke his silence and claimed that his removal and the subsequent actions taken against him were attempts to suppress his voice. He stated that the party had formally approached the Rajya Sabha Secretariat with a request to prevent him from speaking under the party’s quota. Questioning this move, he asked whether speaking on behalf of the public had become unacceptable, emphasizing that he had been raising issues relevant to citizens. He maintained that while he may have been silenced, he was not defeated.
Meanwhile, the BJP has reacted differently, praising Chadha for finally expressing his views and criticizing Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly using individuals and later discarding them. Leaders from the BJP framed the situation as an example of internal intolerance within AAP.
Following Chadha’s statement, AAP leaders intensified their criticism. Party figures such as Anurag Dhanda, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh, and Atishi publicly questioned his actions and commitment. They accused him of avoiding confrontation with the central government, failing to support party workers during critical times, and not raising significant national concerns in Parliament. Some also alleged that he focused on less critical topics instead of addressing pressing issues like the LPG crisis, voter concerns, and actions by the Election Commission.
Critics within the party highlighted several instances where Chadha allegedly distanced himself from party positions. They pointed out that he did not sign resolutions against key authorities, did not actively participate in protests—particularly during Kejriwal’s arrest—and remained absent or silent on major issues being raised by the opposition. His absence during protests, reportedly due to an eye surgery in London, was also questioned by party members, with some suggesting it reflected hesitation rather than necessity.
On the other hand, BJP leaders such as Virendra Sachdeva and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri supported Chadha, describing him as an effective speaker who has consistently raised public issues. They criticized the AAP leadership for attempting to restrict a sitting parliamentarian from speaking, calling it a move that undermines democratic principles.
As the situation unfolds, speculation has emerged regarding Chadha’s political future, including rumors that he might consider joining the BJP. However, AAP leader Ashok Mittal, who replaced him as deputy leader, dismissed such claims, stating that there is no indication of internal dissatisfaction leading to such a move.
Raghav Chadha continues to serve as a Rajya Sabha MP representing Punjab, having been elected in April 2022 with his term scheduled to run until April 2028. His recent statement suggests that despite the ongoing conflict within his party, he intends to remain active and continue his political journey.
