The dispute between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha escalated on Sunday, with the leader taking to social media to counter allegations made against him by the party.
Chadha released a video highlighting his interventions on key issues affecting Punjab. The AAP had criticised him for allegedly failing to raise the state’s concerns in Parliament, claiming his “inaction” contradicted the party’s principles.
In the video, Chadha is seen raising issues such as declining underground water levels, matters related to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, and other Punjab-centric concerns.
“To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to issue videos saying that 'Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab's issues in Parliament', here is a small trailer, 'Picture Abhi Baaki Hai',’” he said.
He added that Punjab is not just a talking point for him. “It is my home, my duty, my soil, my soul.”
The rift between Chadha and AAP became public on Thursday when the party removed him as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. The AAP accused him of avoiding criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre in Parliament, focusing instead on what they described as “soft PR.”
In a video statement on Saturday, Chadha called the allegations “blatant lies” and said he goes to Parliament to create impact, not ruckus. He challenged his critics to cite a single instance where he failed to participate, noting that parliamentary proceedings are recorded through CCTV cameras.
Meanwhile, the AAP hinted that Chadha may be leaning toward the Bharatiya Janata Party. Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that Chadha had deleted his earlier social media posts critical of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP. Bharadwaj also noted that posts previously shared by AAP leaders had disappeared from Chadha’s account.