New Delhi, Apr 3 A day after the AAP removed him as its deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, MP Raghav Chadha Friday said he has been "silenced, not defeated", prompting the party to launch an all-out attack, accusing him of shying away from raising his voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre in Parliament and instead engaging in "soft PR".
As he appeared to be falling out of favour with the party's leadership, Chadha vowed to hit back like a devastating "flood" at an opportune time.
Lambasting Chadha, AAP colleagues accused him of indulging in "soft PR" through issues like the price of samosas in airport canteens while avoiding real issues and attacking the prime minister and the BJP government at the Centre.
They also criticized him for "Je Dar Gaya Samjho Mar Gaya" (Whoever gets scared is considered dead), over the intensifying bickering over his removal as deputy leader of the party in Rajya Sabha.
Chadha asserted that he was "silenced, not defeated" while sharing an Urdu couplet.
"Meri Khamoshi Ko Meri Haar Mat Samajh Lena, Main wo Dariya Hun Jo Waqt Aane Par Sailab Banta hai (Don't take my silence for my defeat, I am the river which turns into a devastating flood when time comes)," he read out the couplet for those who "snatched away his right to speak and silenced" him.
In a video posted on X earlier in the day, Chadha said, "I would like to tell those who have snatched away my right to speak in Parliament to not take my silence for defeat."
The MP said whenever he got a chance, 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 offence," he asked.
Chadha said that in Parliament, he talked about the common people of the country and their issues, including expensive food at airports, problems faced by food delivery riders, food adulteration, toll plaza charges, mobile data expiry, tax on the middle class, among others.
"Anyway, you (common man) have continued to give me unlimited love. Whenever I have raised these issues, you have supported and appreciated me. I thank you for that. Please keep holding my hand like this and continue supporting me," Chadha said.
Hitting back, the AAP sought an explanation from Chadha on why he is afraid to speak against the Modi government on issues of public interest.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann slammed Chadha and said he believes he is "compromised", pointing out that he has gone against the party whip.
Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Chadha failed to toe the party's line on several matters in Parliament and did not join opposition walkouts on key issues.
He also claimed that Chadha had not adequately raised concerns related to Punjab, the state he represents, and criticised his absence during crucial moments, including the arrest of AAP supremo and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
All party leaders are "soldiers" of Kejriwal, he added.
Bharadwaj alleged that in recent months, the government has been cracking down on those daring to question its policies, with critics facing action 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 bigger 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.
Meanwhile, BJP came in support of Chadha, saying his video statement itself is proof that dialogue and democracy within the AAP have completely ended.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said when a senior Member of Parliament is forced to use social media platforms to express his views within his own party, it reflects a deeply troubling internal condition.
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 member, 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" 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.
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.
The AAP currently has 10 members in Rajya Sabha, including seven from Punjab and three from Delhi.