Raghav Chadha was removed as the Aam Aadmi Party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and replaced by Ashok Mittal. Following his removal, Chadha released a video message stating he had been “silenced, not defeated,” and questioned whether raising public interest issues in Parliament was considered a crime within the party. The AAP leadership publicly criticised Chadha’s recent conduct and defended the decision as a disciplinary measure.
According to Hindustan Times, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann labelled Chadha as “compromised” and asserted that his focus on issues like airport food prices and pizza delivery times raised doubts about his loyalty to the party’s legislative agenda. Mann stated, “Those who break party lines should be subjected to action,” framing the removal as necessary discipline rather than routine reshuffling.
Coverage revealed that Chadha, in his video response, asked, “Have I done something wrong?” and defended his focus on public issues such as banking charges and telecom practices. He confirmed that AAP had formally requested the Rajya Sabha secretariat to stop him from speaking under the party’s quota, which he described as a violation of his rights.
As noted in an article by The Hindu, the rift between Chadha and the AAP leadership had been developing for nearly a year, with Chadha previously considered close to party chief Arvind Kejriwal. Party insiders indicated that the distance grew after key events, including Kejriwal’s arrest and Chadha’s absence during significant party activities.
Party leaders responded to Chadha’s “silenced” video by criticising his focus on what they termed “soft PR” issues, arguing that the party should prioritise national concerns over topics like food prices. Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, “It is more important to talk about the country’s larger issues rather than samosas.”
“Do not consider my silence as my defeat. I am that river which becomes a flood when the time comes,” Chadha warned in his public statement.
Further reactions from AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj accused Chadha of failing to confront the BJP directly and not raising issues related to Punjab, his represented state. Bharadwaj emphasised the need for courage in politics and criticised Chadha for not supporting opposition strategies in Parliament.
Analysis showed that Chadha’s wife, Parineeti Chopra, publicly supported him by sharing a video montage of the issues he raised in Parliament, including tax burdens, data privacy, and gig worker exploitation. She highlighted his commitment to public welfare and questioned the rationale behind his removal.
As highlighted by The Indian Express, AAP insiders maintained that Chadha was not restricted from speaking in Parliament, with his successor Ashok Mittal describing the leadership change as a “routine process.” However, Chadha continued to assert that the party had formally communicated to the Secretariat to prevent him from speaking.
Reporting indicated that Chadha’s distancing from the party leadership became more pronounced after March 2024, particularly following Kejriwal’s arrest. Party sources cited his refusal to sign a notice against the Chief Election Commissioner and his absence during opposition walkouts as contributing factors to the leadership’s dissatisfaction.
Note: This article is produced using AI-assisted tools and is based on publicly available information. It has been reviewed by The Quint's editorial team before publishing.