Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party on Friday launched a sharp attack on its Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha after he broke his silence over being removed as the party’s deputy leader in the Upper House, saying he had been “silenced, not defeated”.AAP media in-charge Anurag Dhanda accused Chadha of losing his political edge and hesitating to take on the Centre. In a strongly worded post on X, Dhanda said: “We are Kejriwal’s soldiers. Fearlessness is our first mark of identity. If someone fears Modi, will they fight for the country?”He further questioned Chadha’s role in Parliament, saying: “In Parliament, the party gets just a little time to speak—in that, we can either struggle to save the country or haggle to make the samosas cheaper in the airport canteen.”Citing multiple instances, Dhanda alleged that Chadha had avoided taking positions on key issues. “In Gujarat, hundreds of our workers have been arrested by the BJP’s police—will the MP sahib say anything in the House? In West Bengal, the right to vote is being snatched away. When a motion came against the CEC in the House, the brother sahib refused to sign it. When the party walks out of the House, they stay back to mark attendance for Modi ji.”He added: “For the past few years, you’ve grown afraid, Raghav. You hesitate to speak against Modi. You hesitate to speak on the country’s real issues. He who is afraid…”The response came hours after Chadha publicly reacted to his removal, saying, “Silenced, not defeated. My message to the ‘aam aadmi’: Khamosh Karwaya Gaya Hun, Hara Nahi Hun. ‘Aam Aadmi Ko Mera Sandesh.”In a video message, Chadha said he had consistently raised issues affecting ordinary citizens in Parliament and questioned why he was being stopped. “Whenever I get a chance to speak in Parliament, I raise issues related to the people. I bring up topics that are generally not discussed. Is speaking on public issues a crime? Have I committed any mistake or done anything wrong?” he asked.He also alleged that the party had written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to restrict his speaking opportunities. “AAP has said that Raghav Chadha should not be given an opportunity to speak. Why should anyone stop me from speaking in Parliament?” he said.Listing issues he had raised, Chadha said he spoke about delivery workers’ concerns, rising food prices at airports, food adulteration, toll charges, middle-class tax burdens and telecom recharge practices. “I have raised these issues, and the common people have benefited from them. What loss does AAP suffer because of this? Why should anyone stop me from speaking?” he added.Thanking supporters, he said, “You have given me immense love. I thank you for supporting and encouraging me. Keep supporting me – I am from you, and I am for you.”Concluding his remarks, Chadha said, “Do not mistake my silence for defeat. I am like a river that can turn into a flood when the time comes. Jai Hind.”The development follows AAP’s decision to replace Chadha with Punjab MP Ashok Mittal as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. The party formally communicated the change to the Secretariat, with Arvind Kejriwal-led leadership backing the move.The party is also understood to have asked that Chadha not be allotted speaking time in the House. While neither side had spoken openly about tensions earlier, the latest exchange signals a widening rift within the party ahead of key political developments.
