The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is witnessing significant internal turmoil following the decision to remove Raghav Chadha, Punjab’s Rajya Sabha member, from his position as deputy leader. The party has termed this move as part of its routine procedure but faced sharp reactions from senior leaders.
Senior party officials questioned why Chadha consistently refrained from raising critical issues concerning the country and the party, particularly against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Allegations surfaced that he frequently acted against the party line and, on several occasions, violated party directives.
The party pointed out that Chadha’s silence on matters like the Chief Election Commissioner’s authority and sensitive issues such as the LPG crisis raised concerns about his conduct in Parliament. According to AAP, he had not raised any direct questions to the central government despite having opportunities in the House.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann reacted, stating that the decision is entirely an internal party matter, adding that replacing leaders in Parliament is a common practice. Mann emphasized that members deviating from collective party decisions must face consequences.
Senior leader Sanjay Singh criticized Chadha for remaining silent on important issues, claiming that AAP has always promoted courage and fearlessness in its members. Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bhardwaj stressed that Parliament’s limited time must be used for addressing significant national issues.
Opposition leader Atishi questioned Chadha’s hesitation to challenge BJP policies, highlighting the rising LPG prices affecting everyday life and accusing him of not raising these concerns in the House.
AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda also stated that the party values fearlessness, and those who hesitate cannot fight for public interests. He underscored the importance of using parliamentary time solely for public welfare matters.
This controversy has intensified the political climate, signaling that AAP is adopting a strict stance on discipline and unity within the party. Observers are now closely watching how the dispute unfolds and what response Raghav Chadha gives.
