Saurabh Bharadwaj, the head of the Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi unit, emphasized the party's commitment to addressing significant national issues rather than the less critical topics raised by MP Raghav Chadha. This statement was made on Friday amidst Chadha's claims that he was being silenced.
Chadha expressed his concerns in a social media video, asserting that he consistently voices the challenges faced by citizens whenever he has the chance in Parliament. He questioned whether he had done anything wrong by speaking out.
This exchange follows the AAP's recent communication to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, where they sought Chadha's removal as the deputy leader in the Upper House, proposing Ashok Mittal as his successor.
The party's decision coincided with Chadha's noticeable absence from recent events. He had not commented publicly after a Delhi court cleared former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others in the excise policy case earlier this year.
In his remarks, Chadha stated, “Those who have taken away my right to speak in Parliament should not mistake my silence for defeat.”
In response, Bharadwaj released a video accusing the central government of corrupt practices aimed at securing electoral victories.
He pointed out that in West Bengal, the Opposition had attempted to impeach the chief election commissioner, a motion Chadha declined to support.
Bharadwaj criticized Chadha for not challenging the Prime Minister or the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, questioning how he could sustain a political career if he was afraid.
Bharadwaj also accused Chadha of avoiding confrontation during Kejriwal's arrest on what he termed false charges.
“We must address critical national issues and bravely confront the BJP,” Bharadwaj asserted. “They are not interested in your minor concerns; they are merely supporting you online. Reflect on that.”
Atishi, another party member who took over as Delhi's chief minister after Kejriwal's imprisonment, also challenged Chadha for his lack of opposition to the BJP.
“Are you afraid of the BJP and Narendra Modi that you refrain from questioning them?” she queried in a social media video.
She highlighted the current shortage of liquefied petroleum gas as a pressing issue, claiming Chadha declined to raise it in Parliament on behalf of the Opposition.
“Perhaps you fear Narendra Modi and imprisonment, but we are Kejriwal's soldiers and are unafraid,” she concluded.
At 37, Chadha is a member of the AAP's Political Affairs Committee, the party's top decision-making body, and has previously served as its national treasurer. He has been instrumental in coordinating the opposition INDIA bloc and currently holds the position of Punjab co-incharge.
Chadha entered the Rajya Sabha after being promoted from his role as a Delhi MLA, becoming one of the youngest members of the Upper House. In 2023, he succeeded Sanjay Singh as the party's leader in the Rajya Sabha.
The Aam Aadmi Party currently has ten representatives in the Rajya Sabha, comprising seven from Punjab and three from Delhi.
