AAP leader Atishi questioned Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha's silence on national issues and the LPG gas crisis. This follows Chadha's removal as the party's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, a move he has publicly questioned.
Atishi Questions Raghav Chadha's Silence
Delhi Leader of Opposition (LoP) and AAP leader Atishi on Friday 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. She alleged that Raghav Chadha was hesitant to support the impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
Atishi posted a video on X and said, "Some questions I have for Raghav Chadha. Today, our nation is passing through an immense crisis. There is a grave threat to our Constitution, the West Bengal election is being stolen through the blatant misuse of the Election Commission, yet you are not raising any questions; why are you seemingly afraid to speak out against it?"
She further said, "When the TMC and other opposition parties bring forth an impeachment motion against the Election Commission, you refuse to sign it."
Shifting the focus to economic grievances, Atishi emphasised, "Today, the most significant crisis facing the common man is the shortage of LPG gas. You are an influential person, so perhaps you do not face these hardships, but a common citizen is struggling even to cook a meal for their child."
"Today, everyone in this country must decide whether they stand with PM Modi, or with the Constitution and our democracy," Atishi added.
Meanwhile, AAP leader Anurag Dhanda hit back at Raghav Chadha, following the latter's remarks on removal as the party's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha. In an X post, Dhanda stressed that Chadha has been "scared" from past few years and has hesitated to speak against PM Narendra Modi.
Raghav Chadha Hits Back
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.
Chadha Replaced 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.)