Raghav Chadha Warns AAP Leadership: “My Silence Should Not Be Seen as Defeat”

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has issued a strong message to the party leadership following his removal from the post of deputy leader in the Upper House. Chadha cautioned that his silence should not be interpreted as a sign of political defeat and stated that he would clarify all matters at an appropriate time. In a video message, Chadha said, “When the time comes, I will explain everything clearly.” He was considered a key figure in the party and played a significant role in decision-making during the first two years of the AAP government in Punjab. However, he has now been replaced by fellow Punjab MP Ashok Kumar Mittal as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. Chadha also questioned why the party had reportedly asked the Rajya Sabha Secretariat not to allow him to speak in Parliament. He stated that he consistently raised issues concerning the common people, including high prices of food at airports, challenges faced by gig workers, adulterated food, and hidden charges imposed by banks. He asked whether raising such concerns was wrong and why the party would not want him to speak on these matters. In a metaphorical warning, Chadha described himself as a river that can turn into a flood when the time is right. His remarks are being viewed as indicative of growing tensions between him and the AAP leadership. Within the party, there is unease over Chadha’s alleged proximity to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with concerns that he could be used by the ruling party at the Centre in the upcoming Punjab elections. Chadha is widely credited with contributing significantly to AAP’s success in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, where the party secured 92 out of 117 seats. He also held considerable influence in the Punjab government until the end of 2023. However, his sudden absence from the political scene during the Delhi election campaign and during the period when AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the Delhi excise policy case reportedly did not go down well with the party leadership. Kejriwal has since been discharged in the case. At the time, Chadha had stated that he was in the United Kingdom for treatment related to an eye condition. Although he returned to India after a few months, he appeared to have lost the confidence of the party leadership and became increasingly sidelined. Previously, Chadha was known to wield significant influence from his official residence at House No. 50 in Sector 2, Chandigarh, where senior officials, businesspersons, ministers, MLAs, and party leaders frequently visited him. However, last year, he was asked to vacate the residence.