Raghav Chadha Defies AAP After Removal, Escalates Internal Strife

Saurabh Bharadwaj, the state unit chief, alleged that Chadha repeatedly failed to toe the party line and did not participate in opposition walkouts. He accused Chadha of remaining absent during critical moments, specifically citing the arrest of AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal in March 2024. Bharadwaj stressed that "All party leaders are soldiers of Kejriwal," implying Chadha had failed in his duty as a soldier. Sanjay Singh joined the chorus, questioning Chadha's silence on LPG prices, alleged vote manipulation in West Bengal, and attacks on Punjab's rights.

Atishi further intensified the scrutiny, asking directly if Chadha fled to London out of fear when Kejriwal was arrested. She noted that while the party defended him previously, his absence during the crackdown raised serious questions. AAP leader Anurag Dhanda echoed these sentiments, stating that for the past few years, Chadha has been "scared" to speak against Modi or address the real issues of the country. The phrase "Jo Dar Gaya Samjho Mar Gaya" (whoever is scared is as good as dead) was reportedly used by leaders to underline the severity of the perceived lack of courage.

In response, Chadha categorically denied the allegation that he did not walk out with the opposition, challenging the party to produce a single instance where they were absent. He argued that no formal or informal request was ever made to him regarding the motion against the Chief Election Commissioner, noting that other MPs also had not signed. He rejected the notion that effectiveness is measured by disruption, asserting instead that he went to Parliament to raise problems of people such as unemployment, inflation, and public healthcare.

BJP Criticizes Party's Internal Dynamics

The controversy has attracted attention from outside the party as well, with the Bharatiya Party criticizing the AAP's internal functioning. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva remarked that a senior MP being forced to use social media to voice concerns indicated a breakdown of dialogue within the party. He described the situation as a deeply troubling internal condition where the senior MP must publicly air grievances that should be resolved internally.

The removal of Chadha as deputy leader and the subsequent demotion effectively replaced him with Ashok Mittal, but the reported communication to the Rajya Sabha secretariat to deny him speaking time was seen as a move to sideline him further. This move triggered Chadha's cryptic response on X, sharing video highlights of his speeches with an evil eye amulet emoji. The slugfest was triggered after Raghav Chadha was removed as deputy leader, ending a period of simmering tension that insiders suggest has been widening for nearly two years.

AAP Internal Rift Deepens as Party Struggles for Unity

The AAP internal rift now threatens the party's discipline and public image as public accusations from senior leaders clash with Chadha's denial of "baseless" charges. The conflict highlights a fundamental disagreement over parliamentary strategy: whether the focus should be on disruption and opposition to the Prime Minister or on substantive public welfare issues. With Chadha accusing the party of a coordinated attempt to discredit him and leaders accusing him of cowardice and misplaced priorities, the path forward remains uncertain. If the leadership persists in marginalizing Chadha while he maintains his stance on accountability and specific parliamentary issues, the internal fracture could widen, potentially impacting the party's unity in the face of external political challenges. The situation remains fluid, with both sides committed to their narratives without immediate signs of reconciliation.