Kumar Bahukhandi
Arvind Kejriwal and Raghav Chadha — Photo: Arrangements
Raghav Chadha is one of the seven Rajya Sabha members from Punjab belonging to the AAP. He has been removed from the post of Deputy Leader of the Rajya Sabha.
By removing Raghav Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, the Aam Aadmi Party has sent a stern message to other leaders: that they must strictly adhere to the party line and prioritise raising only party-related issues across various platforms. Chadha had failed to do so for some time, and consequently, he faced disciplinary action from the party. Through this episode, the AAP has also served a warning to its leaders that no individual stands above the party’s policies and rules.
Although senior party leaders are characterising this move as part of the organizational process, the high command’s strict stance has created a palpable stir among AAP leaders in Punjab. Raghav is one of the seven AAP members in the Rajya Sabha representing Punjab. Following this action, however, Raghav released a video expressing his displeasure with the party, sparking speculation that he might quit. Meanwhile, the Punjab BJP has also extended an offer to Raghav to join the party, along with his supporters.
Raghav Had Been Indifferent for Two Years
For nearly two years, Raghav’s attitude toward various party issues appeared indifferent. He was not even adhering to the party whip. Raghav distanced himself from the very issues that the AAP intended to raise prominently in the Rajya Sabha—even as the Punjab government consistently introduced resolutions in the Legislative Assembly regarding several critical state and national matters, passed them following deliberation, and forwarded them to the Central Government. This served as a crucial method for the Punjab government to articulate its stance and register its dissent on various issues.
The party expected the same level of engagement from Raghav; however, instead of prioritizing party mandates, he chose to raise his own personal agendas in the House—a conduct that became a primary catalyst for the disciplinary action taken against him. A senior party leader revealed that even during instances in the Rajya Sabha when the situation called for a walkout on common issues, Raghav was often observed distancing himself from leaders of other opposition parties. This behavior frequently placed the party in an awkward and uncomfortable position.
Issues the Party Wanted Raised
Under its parliamentary agenda, the AAP sought to have various issues raised in the Rajya Sabha through Raghav; however, Raghav failed to do so. Prominent among these issues were the deletion of voter names under the SIR process; the filing of cases against 160 AAP workers and leaders in Gujarat; allegations regarding attempts to incite communalism in Punjab in the name of religion and caste; the demand for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee for farmers; and issues concerning Punjab’s pending GST dues and withheld Rural Development Funds from the Centre.
Go With the Flow of the River: Bajwa
Commenting on this matter, Fatehjang Singh Bajwa, Vice President of the Punjab BJP, stated: “The true face of the Aam Aadmi Party is now beginning to be exposed. Raghav Chadha is one of the key figures who helped build the Aam Aadmi Party.
Many AAP leaders are disheartened by the party’s decision to remove a leader of Raghav’s stature from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha. Nevertheless, Raghav is welcome to join the BJP along with his supporters. After all, people invariably tend to move in the direction in which the river flows—and at this moment, the leadership of the country rests in the hands of an exceptional leader.”
