New Delhi, April 3 Following his removal as the AAP's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, MP Raghav Chadha stated that he has been "silenced, not defeated," leading the party to accuse him of avoiding raising issues against the Centre in Parliament and instead engaging in "soft PR".
In a video posted on X earlier in the day, Chadha said that his own party had sought to prevent him from speaking in Parliament.
"I would like to tell those who have taken away my right to speak in Parliament that my silence does not mean defeat. I am a force that can be unleashed when the time is right. Jai Hind," he said in Hindi.
The Rajya Sabha MP stated that whenever he had the opportunity, he raised public issues in Parliament, including topics that are often overlooked, and questioned whether speaking about people's problems was a crime. "Did I commit any offense?" he said.
Chadha said that in Parliament, he discussed issues related to the common people of the country and their problems, including expensive food at airports, the challenges faced by food delivery riders, food adulteration, toll plaza charges, and mobile data expiry, as well as taxes on the middle class.
"Anyway, you (the common citizen) have continued to support and appreciate me. I thank you for that. Please continue to support me," Chadha said.
Hitting back, Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Chadha failed to align with the party's stance on several matters in Parliament and did not participate in opposition walkouts on key issues.
He also claimed that Chadha had not adequately raised concerns related to Punjab, the state he represents, and criticized his absence during crucial moments, including the arrest of AAP supremo and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Bharadwaj further alleged that in recent months, the government has been cracking down on those who dared to question its policies, with critics facing actions such as social media account suspensions and FIRs.
He claimed that the government does not care about "soft PR" in Parliament and talking about samosas at airport canteens when more important issues are at stake.
"Whenever the Opposition staged a walkout in Parliament, you (Chadha) did not participate. You did not raise issues concerning Punjab, from where you are elected, and you hid in a foreign country when former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested," he added.
Chadha had successfully campaigned against high airport food prices, leading to the introduction of Rs 20 samosas and Rs 10 tea at several Indian airports through the 'Udaan Yatri Cafes'.
Bharadwaj also pointed out that while opposition parties had moved a motion to impeach the Chief Election Commissioner, Chadha did not sign it and had not participated in certain opposition walkouts.
Using a famous dialogue from the Hindi film 'Sholay', Bharadwaj said, "Jo dar gya samjho mar gaya (Whoever gets scared is considered dead)", adding that AAP leaders are "soldiers" of Kejriwal.
On Thursday, the AAP replaced Chadha as its deputy Speaker in the Rajya Sabha with Ashok Mittal.
The move came amid Chadha's prolonged silence on matters related to the AAP, and his absence from several public events led by Kejriwal. He becomes the second AAP Rajya Sabha MP, after Swati Maliwal, to have fallen out with the party leadership.
AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda also criticised Chadha, questioning whether someone who "fears" Prime Minister Narendra Modi can fight for the country.
"In West Bengal, the right to vote is being snatched away. When a proposal against the CEC came up in the House, you (Chadha) refused to sign it," Dhanda said on X.
"In Parliament, we get limited time to speak, and it can be used either to fight for the nation or discuss trivial matters like cheaper samosas at airport canteens," Dhanda said, adding that Chadha has been hesitant to speak on "real issues" for the last few years.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and senior party leader Atishi also questioned Chadha over his silence on key issues, asking why he was "so scared" of raising questions against the Centre and the BJP.
"The democracy and Constitution of the country are in danger, yet you failed to speak on issues such as rising LPG prices," she said.
Referring to the arrest of Kejriwal in March 2024, Atishi said that while party leaders were on the streets protesting and facing detention, questions were raised about Chadha's absence.
"We defended you then, saying you had undergone an eye operation and that is why you were not present. But today I want to ask that when Kejriwal was arrested, were you even then scared of the BJP?" she said.
Once considered a close confidant of Kejriwal and among the youngest MPs in the country, Chadha played a key role in party affairs, particularly in Punjab and during the AAP's tenure in Delhi.
Chadha was abroad for medical reasons when Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the excise policy case in March 2024. He remained away during Kejriwal's nearly six-month incarceration and met him only a few days after his release on September 13, 2024.
More recently, Chadha maintained silence when Kejriwal, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and other AAP leaders were discharged by a Delhi court in the excise case last month. He also missed Kejriwal's press conference and a recent rally at Jantar Mantar following the court's relief.
Party leaders claimed Chadha has been increasingly sidelined from political campaigns and organisational matters of the party in other states, although he has been vocal inside and outside Parliament, raising issues such as high air fares and the condition of gig workers.
The AAP currently has 10 members in the Rajya Sabha, including seven from Punjab and three from Delhi.