AAP’s decision to replace Chadha with Ashok Mittal has sparked political reactions and speculation about internal tensions within the party ahead of key electoral battles.
File image: Raghav Chadha (File pic: source: Instagram/raghavchadha88)
A day after being removed as the Aam Aadmi Party’s Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, MP Raghav Chadha on Friday responded with a detailed video message, questioning why he should be stopped from speaking in Parliament and insisting he had been “silenced, not defeated”.
In the video, Chadha says whenever he gets a chance to speak in Parliament, he raises public issues – often topics that are not usually discussed in the House. He then asks: “Kya janta ke mudde uthana koi apradh hai? Kya maine koi galti kar di?” (Is raising people’s issues a crime? Have I done something wrong?)
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The development comes amid a party reshuffle that has triggered fresh speculation around internal dynamics within the AAP, especially over its parliamentary leadership and the role of senior MPs.
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Referring to the party’s move, he said that the AAP has written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat asking that he not be allowed to speak in Parliament. “Why should anyone stop me from speaking in Parliament?” he said.
Chadha goes on to list the concerns he says he has raised – from high food prices at airports to the problems faced by delivery workers, food adulteration, toll charges and bank fees.
He also refers to issues affecting the middle class, including tax burden, telecom recharge practices and data restrictions, asking why raising such matters should invite action against him.
In the closing part of the video, he thanks people for their support and urges them to continue standing by him. “Main aapse hoon aur main aapke liye hoon (I belong to you and I stand for you)”, he says.
In the caption, he says those who have taken away his right to speak may have silenced him, but not defeated him.
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According to IANS, the AAP has named Punjab MP Ashok Mittal as its new Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Chadha. The party has written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to formalise the change.
Sources also indicated that the party urged the Secretariat not to allot speaking time to the incumbent deputy leader, a move that has intensified speculation about internal tensions.
AAP currently has 10 members in the Upper House, with most from Punjab, the only state where the party is in power.
Opposition leaders reacted sharply. BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri questioned how an MP could be prevented from speaking, while Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the development suggests “all is not well” within the party.
Ashok Mittal, who replaces Chadha, thanked party chief Arvind Kejriwal and said leadership roles change over time in a democratic setup. He also dismissed reports of any rift.
The reshuffle comes amid earlier signs of strain within AAP, including differences involving Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.
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