- By Talibuddin Khan
- Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The infighting within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday took a new turn with the Punjab government reportedly withdrawing the Z+ security cover provided to Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha. The development came days after AAP removed Raghav Chadha from the post of the party's Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing him with Ashok Mittal.
According to a report by Jagran.com, citing sources, Raghav Chadha was provided the Z+ security by the Punjab police in his capacity as a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and the co-in-charge of state affairs.
The development has escalated the already high tensions between Raghav Chadha and the AAP leadership, with reports suggesting that Chadha might float a new party of his own.
AAP leadership has accused Raghav Chadha of shying away from raising his voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre in Parliament and instead engaging in "soft PR" through issues like the rate of samosas in airport canteens while avoiding real issues.
However, Chadha refuted the allegations against him and accused the party of snatching away his right to speak. However, Chadha asserted that he was "silenced, not defeated" while sharing an Urudu couplet.
"Meri Khamoshi Ko Meri Haar Mat Samajh Lena, Main wo Dariya Hun Jo Waqt Aane Par Sailab Banta hai (Dont take my silence for my defeat, I am the river which turns into a devastating flood when time comes," Chadha had said in a post on X.
The Rajya Sabha MP further defended his debates in the upper house and said that 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.
However, 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.
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, Manish Sisodia and other AAP leaders were discharged by a Delhi court in the excise case. He also missed Kejriwal's press conference and a recent rally at Jantar Mantar.