Following his removal as AAP's Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader, Raghav Chadha faced criticism from party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi. They accused him of being 'scared' to raise issues against the Central government and PM Modi.
AAP Leaders Criticise Raghav Chadha Over 'Reluctance'
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi President Saurabh Bhardwaj and other party leaders on Friday openly criticised his party MP Raghav Chadha following his removal as AAP's Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader, citing concerns over his reluctance to raise issues against the Central Government. Speaking to ANI here, Bhardwaj asserted that Raghav Chadha "consistently hangs back" whenever the party wants to raise issues against the Central government in Parliament. "The primary duty of the main opposition parties is to question the government within Parliament, particularly regarding issues that concern the public... Yet, consider the manner in which the entire electoral system is being hijacked. In every state where elections are held, large-scale manipulation of voter lists is taking place. Votes are being deleted, while false and bogus votes are being added." Bhardwaj said.
He added that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "actively promotes his colleague Raghav Chadha". He said if Chadha succumbs to fear, his political career would effectively be over soon. "The Election Commission appears to be working completely in tandem with the Central Government. Whose duty is it to raise a voice against this? Is it not the duty of the Members of Parliament?. Whenever such issues need to be raised in Parliament, Raghav Chadha consistently hangs back. He does not even want to mention the Central Government... The BJP actively promotes Raghav Chadha. His supporters amplify his social media posts. Why do they do this? The Parliament should serve as a forum for debating serious issues and finding resolutions to them... If you succumb to fear, your political career is effectively over," he added.
Atishi Questions Chadha's Silence on Key Issues
Delhi Leader of Opposition (LoP) and AAP leader Atishi also questioned her colleague and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha for failing to raise issues concerning commoners amidst a national crisis and a significant shortage of LPG gas. LoP of Delhi Assembly and AAP leader Atishi added, "Our country is going through a crisis today. Democracy and the Constitution are being attacked. Vote theft is being done in West Bengal elections... The entire opposition is speaking against it. The TMC brings an impeachment motion, but Raghav Chadha refuses to sign it... He refuses to walk out of the house."
Atishi asserted that Chadha refused to speak when the party told him to address the LPG crisis. "The LPG crisis is affecting every common man's life. When the party tells Raghav Chadha to address that, he refuses to speak. He is scared to speak against the BJP and PM Modi... Many leaders of the opposition got scared and joined the BJP. Raghav Chadha could be next..." she added.
AAP National Media Incharge Anurag Dhanda commented on Chadha's role, saying, "It is the party's prerogative to decide who should be given the responsibility for what position... The party has a limited time. You want to raise the issues that will keep PM Modi happy... He should tell us why he is scared to speak against PM Modi for the last few years."
Punjab CM Says Chadha is 'Compromised'
While responding to the controversy, Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann said, "This is regular party functioning. It is his call on what statement he wants to make." He further added, "Those who break party lines should be subjected to action."
When asked if Raghav Chadha is compromised, Mann simply replied, "Yes."
Chadha Hits Back: 'Is Raising Public Issues a Crime?'
Chadha's removal as the Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha has intensified internal debates within the Aam Aadmi Party, highlighting disagreements over party strategy and opposition to the Central Government.
Earlier in the day, in a direct attack on the AAP following his removal as the party's Deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Chadha said his silence in Parliament should not be mistaken for defeat.
In a post on X, Chadha questioned the reasons behind being prevented from speaking in Parliament. He said he consistently raises issues affecting the common people and asked whether doing so amounts to any wrongdoing.
"Whenever I get a chance to speak in the Parliament, I raise public issues. And perhaps I raise topics that are not usually raised in the Parliament. But is raising public issues a crime? Have I committed a crime? Have I made a mistake? Have I done something wrong?" he said.
"AAP has told the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that Raghav Chadha should be stopped from speaking in the Parliament. Yes, the AAP has informed the Parliament that Raghav Chadda should not be given a chance to speak in the Parliament," Chadha added.
Mittal Replaces Chadha as Deputy Leader
On Thursday, the AAP sent an official letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat informing that Ashok Kumar Mittal will be the new Deputy Leader of AAP in the Upper House, the party stated. Mittal has replaced Raghav Chadha as the Deputy Leader of AAP in the House.
Raghav Chadha has also been an MP since April 2022. He has made headlines on several occasions for raising certain issues in Parliament.
Last month, Raghav Chadha raised concerns over the practice of "sarpanch pati" or "panchayat pati," where women elected to reserved Panchayat seats often serve as figureheads while real power is exercised by their male relatives.
He urged the government to ensure that women representatives in local bodies can exercise genuine authority as intended under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)