New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has dismissed allegations of misconduct that led to his removal as the party’s deputy leader in the Upper House, branding them a “scripted campaign” and vowing to “expose every lie.”
The development follows AAP’s decision on Thursday last to replace Chadha, a prominent Punjab face and vocal critic of the Centre, with fellow Punjab MP Ashok Mittal. Chadha, who joined AAP in 2014 and rose through its youth wing before entering Rajya Sabha in 2022, has often highlighted public issues like inflation and governance lapses.
In a pointed rebuttal shared via social media, Chadha refuted claims he refused to walk out with opposition MPs during a session, calling it a “white lie” and challenging detractors to “Check the CCTV footage.”
He also denied any party leader asked him “to sign the motion regarding the Chief Election Commissioner.”
Defending his parliamentary record, Chadha asserted his interventions centred on “common people’s issues,” including “Punjab’s water, pollution, and public health,” rather than mere disruption.
“Is raising public issues like inflation and parliamentary duties a crime?” he asked.
Framing the ouster as a targeted silencing, Chadha declared: “I may have been silenced, but I am not defeated.” He escalated it with a direct counter to party critics, stating: “Ghayal hoon isiliye ghatak hoon” (I am wounded, that’s why I am dangerous), and warned that “all lies against him will be unmasked.”
Chadha’s removal lays bare simmering divisions in AAP as it braces for crucial elections. While party sources blamed “disciplinary issues,” his combative reply indicates he’s not retreating. AAP is yet to respond officially.
