New Delhi, April 3 – Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmaker Raghav Chadha, once considered a key member of AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal's inner circle, has come under fire from top party leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. They have accused him of being a "coward and frightened" politician who "compromised" his values for political gain.
The heated political exchange and accusations began on Friday, after Raghav Chadha shared a video statement regarding his removal as AAP's Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, and warned his detractors against misinterpreting his silence (regarding his sacking from the position) as defeat.
Sanjay Singh, AAP's Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, attacked Raghav Chadha, accusing him of lacking credibility and integrity, saying that he failed to act when the party needed him to.
"You remain silent when the Election Commission of India (ECI) is disenfranchising people in West Bengal, you remain silent when the opposition questions the ECI's bias. You never speak out against the Narendra Modi government. You remained silent when our (AAP) workers in Gujarat were harassed," Singh said, describing himself as the "true soldier" of Arvind Kejriwal.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing a press conference, also justified the removal of Raghav Chadha as the Deputy Leader of the Rajya Sabha, stating that anyone who deviates from the party line should be held accountable.
Supporting AAP functionaries in calling out Raghav Chadha for his "questionable" conduct, Mann said that if the party takes a stand in the House, its members are expected to support it, but if someone refuses to do so, they are disrespecting the party whip, and therefore, action is bound to follow.
"In Gujarat, cases were filed against our (AAP) leaders and volunteers. This should have been addressed. In Punjab, attempts are being made to incite people based on religion and caste, which should be discussed. Instead, if the focus is on the price of samosas at the airport or delivery timings, how can we not suspect that they are favoring someone else?" the Punjab Chief Minister asked.
Atishi, a close confidante of AAP supremo and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, directly challenged young Parliamentarian Raghav Chadha, asking him pointed questions.
She said that Kejriwal's supporters would continue to fight for the people's issues, and it was up to Raghav Chadha to decide where he stands.
"Why are you (Raghav Chadha) scared of the BJP? Why are you scared of Prime Minister Modi? Why are you scared of raising questions?" Atishi asked in a video statement.
She also highlighted the LPG cylinder crisis gripping the country and the shortage of cooking gas.
"AAP has been strongly raising this issue and demanding answers from the Union government, but you have chosen to remain silent. Are you scared of PM Modi?" Atishi asked.
She also referenced an incident from the past, stating that the AAP defended Raghav Chadha despite his erratic reasoning and justifications during Arvind Kejriwal's arrest on false charges, but all that failed to revive his conscience.
"When Arvind Kejriwal was arrested, we were beaten and dragged on the streets. You (Raghav Chadha) may be scared of going to jail, hence you escaped to London, but we are Kejriwal's soldiers, and we will now continue to fight for the people's causes," Atishi asserted.
