AAP Party Leaders – Raghav Chadha Discord Turns Public
NEW DELHI -Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmaker Raghav Chadha, once seen as a key member of AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s inner circle, has come under fire from top party leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, who labelled him a “coward and frightened” politician who “compromised” his values for political gains.
The heated political exchange began April 3 after Raghav Chadha shared a video statement over his removal as AAP’s Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha and warned his detractors against mistaking his silence as defeat. His removal appears more than the claimed “administrative reshuffle” and signals internal discord within the party.
The rift was further evident when the party requested the Rajya Sabha Chairman not to grant Chadha time from its allotted slot for presenting statements on important public matters.
Sanjay Singh, AAP’s Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, questioned Chadha’s credibility and commitment, saying he failed to rise to the occasion whenever the party expected him to.
“You don’t utter a word when the Election Commission of India (EC) is snatching voting rights of people in West Bengal, you maintain silence when Opposition questions the poll body over its biasedness. You never raise your voice against the Narendra Modi government. You stayed mum when our (AAP) workers in Gujarat were harassed,” Singh said, while describing himself as the ‘true soldier’ of Arvind Kejriwal.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann justified Chadha’s removal, stating that anyone deviating from the party line must face action.
“In Gujarat, cases were filed against our (AAP) leaders and volunteers. That should have been addressed. In Punjab, attempts are being made to incite people in the name of religion and caste, that should be discussed. Instead, if the focus is on the price of samosas at the airport or delivery timings, how can we not suspect that they are speaking in someone else’s favor?” Mann said.
Backing the criticism, Atishi questioned Chadha’s silence on key issues and accused him of being afraid to challenge the ruling government.
“Why are you (Raghav Chadha) scared of the BJP? Why are you scared of Prime Minister Modi? Why are you scared of raising questions?” she asked in a video statement.
“AAP has been raising this issue strongly and demanding answers from the Union government, but you chose to stay silent. Are you scared of PM Modi?” she added, referring to the LPG cylinder crisis.
She also recalled past instances, alleging that the party stood by Chadha during difficult times but he failed to reciprocate.
“When Arvind Kejriwal was arrested, we were beaten and dragged on the streets. You (Raghav Chadha) may be scared of going to jail and hence escaped to London, but we are Kejriwal’s soldiers and we will not cower down and will keep fighting for people’s causes,” Atishi said.
The discord around Chadha has been building for some time, though it largely remained unspoken until now.
Chadha, however, defended his parliamentary interventions as being focused on people-related issues.
The unfolding rift also reflects a broader pattern within AAP, where several prominent leaders who were part of the anti-corruption movement in 2012 have since distanced themselves from the party leadership. Figures such as Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Ashutosh, Alka Lamba, Swati Maliwal, and Kumar Vishwas had earlier parted ways, citing concerns over internal democracy, leadership style, and centralization of power. (IANS)
