Tensions appear to be rising within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha issued a strong and emotional response to his removal as the party’s Deputy Leader in the Upper House.
In his first reaction on Friday, Chadha declared that while he may have been “silenced,” he was “not defeated,” signalling a deepening rift within the party’s leadership ranks.
In a video message, Chadha alleged that the party had attempted to curb his voice in Parliament, even going as far as writing to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to restrict his speaking time. Questioning the move, he asked whether raising issues concerning the public had become a “crime.”
“Whenever I get an opportunity to speak in Parliament, I raise issues concerning the public… But is raising public issues a crime?” he said. Chadha further claimed that the party had formally communicated that he should not be allowed to speak in the House.
“Why would anyone wish to stop me from speaking? Whenever I speak, I speak on behalf of the common man… how does that harm the party?” he added, expressing disbelief over the decision.
In what is being widely interpreted as a pointed message to AAP leadership, particularly party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Chadha struck a defiant tone.
“Do not mistake my silence for defeat. I am a river that can turn into a flood,” he said, indicating that he remains politically assertive despite the setback.
Chadha also emphasized that public support continues to strengthen his resolve, suggesting that his political journey is far from over.
The development comes a day after AAP formally wrote to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat seeking Chadha’s replacement. The party has proposed Ashok Kumar Mittal as the new Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.
In an official statement, the party confirmed the leadership change, describing it as part of internal adjustments ahead of upcoming parliamentary sessions.
Chadha, considered one of AAP’s prominent young leaders, has been known for raising unconventional and socially relevant issues in Parliament. He recently made headlines for advocating legal recognition of paternity leave in India, arguing that caregiving responsibilities should be shared equally between parents.
He has also been active on social media, frequently sharing clips of his parliamentary speeches and updates from his personal life, including the recent birth of his child with actor Parineeti Chopra.
While AAP has not publicly commented on the reasons behind the move, Chadha’s remarks suggest growing internal disagreements. His allegations of being deliberately sidelined raise questions about the party’s internal dynamics at a crucial political juncture.
As Parliament prepares for its next session, all eyes will be on how this internal friction within AAP unfolds—and whether it impacts the party’s performance on the national stage.
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