AAP vs Raghav Chadha erupts into open war, BJP backs ‘silenced’ MP

The political storm within the Aam Aadmi Party has burst into the open, with senior leaders launching a coordinated and public attack on Raghav Chadha, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party stepped in to defend the embattled Rajya Sabha MP.

The escalation comes days after Chadha was removed as the party’s deputy leader in the Upper House and replaced by Ashok Mittal. Breaking his silence, Chadha alleged that the move was aimed at “silencing” him, claiming the party had formally written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to restrict him from speaking under its quota.

“Is it wrong to speak for the people?” Chadha asked in a video statement, asserting that issues he raised in Parliament were in public interest. “I am silenced, not defeated,” he added.

His remarks triggered an aggressive pushback from within the party, turning an internal rift into a full-blown public confrontation.

AAP leaders accuse Chadha of ‘fear’ and deviation

AAP leaders accused Chadha of failing to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Centre, alleging that he avoided raising politically sensitive issues.

Party spokesperson Anurag Dhanda questioned Chadha’s absence on key matters, including the arrest of party workers in Gujarat, and accused him of staying passive during protests. Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj took a sharper line, accusing Chadha of indulging in “soft PR” instead of addressing pressing national concerns.

Senior leaders including Sanjay Singh and Atishi echoed similar criticism. Atishi directly questioned Chadha’s silence on issues such as LPG prices, voter deletion, and the Election Commission, asking why he appeared “afraid” to confront the Prime Minister.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann went further, alleging that Chadha was “compromised” and had violated the party whip, sharpening the tone of the intra-party clash.

The criticism also extended to Chadha’s absence during key protests, including those following the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. Leaders questioned whether his London visit for eye surgery coincided with a politically sensitive phase.

Symbolic signals fuel exit buzz

Amid the intensifying row, Chadha removed AAP from his social media bio, identifying himself only as a Rajya Sabha MP. The move has added to speculation over a possible exit, though no formal indication has been made.

BJP seizes opening, targets Kejriwal

Sensing an opportunity, BJP leaders rallied behind Chadha while attacking Kejriwal’s leadership style.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said Chadha should have spoken out earlier and accused Kejriwal of “using people and then discarding them.” He also questioned the party’s reported move to restrict a sitting MP from speaking, calling it undemocratic.

BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri praised Chadha’s parliamentary interventions, stating that curbing his voice would undermine democratic norms.

What lies ahead

While speculation persists about Chadha’s political future—including rumours of a possible shift to the BJP—AAP leaders have dismissed such claims as unfounded.

For now, Chadha has signaled resistance rather than retreat, framing the confrontation as a battle over his right to speak. But with the conflict now fully public and positions hardening on both sides, the fallout could have lasting implications for the party’s internal cohesion and its national political messaging.