Chandigarh : Raghav Chadha, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), issued his first response on Friday after being removed from the post of deputy leader in the Upper House. In a video shared on social media, he said, “I have been silenced, but I am not defeated,” calling it a message to the common people.
Chadha questioned the move, saying he had consistently raised public issues in Parliament and asked how that had harmed the party. Without naming any leaders, he warned that those trying to suppress his voice would face a stronger response, adding that his silence should not be mistaken for weakness.
AAP leaders, however, hit back strongly. Party spokesperson Anurag Dhanda criticized Chadha, claiming he focused on “minor issues” such as lowering food prices at airports instead of raising key party concerns in Parliament. He also questioned Chadha’s commitment, asking whether someone who fears Narendra Modi can effectively fight for the country.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described Chadha as “compromised” and said action is taken against leaders who deviate from the party line.
AAP had removed Chadha from the deputy leader position on Thursday and replaced him with Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal. The party also informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that Chadha should not be allotted speaking time in the House, though no official reason was cited.
Chadha, who has been a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab since 2022 with a term until 2028, has reportedly maintained distance from party activities in recent months. He remained largely silent during key moments, including the arrest of party chief Arvind Kejriwal, when he was in the UK, and did not comment publicly even after Kejriwal’s later relief in the case.
In his video, Chadha defended his parliamentary record, saying he raised issues affecting ordinary citizens, including high airport food prices, concerns of delivery workers, food adulteration, toll and banking charges, middle-class taxation, and telecom practices.
Following his remarks, several AAP leaders, including Atishi Marlena and Saurabh Bharadwaj, questioned his priorities and loyalty. They alleged that he avoided raising major national issues, did not sign key party resolutions, and failed to highlight concerns related to Punjab despite being elected from the state.