Shortly after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) moved to replace MP Raghav Chadha as the party's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, the AAP leader gave a subtle response by sharing a video on his social media platform on Thursday.
In a video posted hours after the party's move, Chadha shared a montage of the issues he raised in the Parliament. The video showed him flagging issues, ranging from mobile data usage, paternity leave, food adulteration, flight delays and alleged paper leaks.
Raghav Chadha has often made headlines for raising issues concerning common masses and his Parliament address videos have often gone viral. The AAP leader is yet to officially issue a statement on the party's move to replace him as the Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.
AAP submitted a letter to the Rajya Sabha secretariat to appoint MP Ashok Mittal as deputy leader of the party in the Upper House, replacing Chadha, PTI news agency quoted sources as saying.
Why was Raghav Chadha removed as AAP deputy leader in Rajya Sabha?
{{/usCountry}}AAP submitted a letter to the Rajya Sabha secretariat to appoint MP Ashok Mittal as deputy leader of the party in the Upper House, replacing Chadha, PTI news agency quoted sources as saying.
Why was Raghav Chadha removed as AAP deputy leader in Rajya Sabha?
{{/usCountry}}The development comes amid Chadha's prolonged silence on matters concerning the party, including his reported absence from public events led by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
When Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the excise policy case in March 2024, Chadha was abroad for medical reasons. He remained away from active politics during Kejriwal's nearly six-month incarceration, during which other party leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh were also in jail.
Recently, the AAP leader, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, maintained silence when Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and other AAP leaders were discharged by a Delhi court in the excise case last month. Chadha reportedly missed Kejriwal's press conference and a rally at Jantar Mantar following the court relief.
AAP leaders have reportedly claimed Chadha has been increasingly sidelined from political campaigns and organisational matters, according to PTI. However, he remains vocal in Parliament, raising issues such as high air fares and the condition of gig workers.
Party leaders described the decision as part of internal restructuring. But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed the move was result of Chadha’s “distancing himself” from party’s national convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“The way Raghav Chadha has been replaced and sidelined shows that he has distanced himself from the anarchic and corrupt leadership of Arvind Kejriwal,” a separate HT report quoted Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva as saying.
Congress lawmaker Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said it is now clear that Chadha is separate from the AAP, citing reports that Chadha was away from several public events led by Kejriwal.
It is not yet clear what the latest development would mean for Chadha's role in the party or outside, since an exit from AAP cannot entirely be ruled out.