Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Raghav Chadha on Friday made a pointed remark in the Rajya Sabha while beginning his speech, referring to recent leadership changes within the Aam Aadmi Party.Addressing the House, Chadha said, “The leader of the party I belong to is not present in the House. The newly appointed deputy leader of the party I belong to is also not present in the House. I am the recently removed deputy leader, and I am present in the House. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to speak.”
Chadha’s remarks come amid a widening rift between him and the AAP leadership following his removal as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and the appointment of Ashok Kumar Mittal in his place.The fallout has triggered a public war of words within the party, with senior AAP leaders accusing Chadha of disloyalty and distancing himself from the party line. Saurabh Bharadwaj recently alleged that Chadha had been defended by BJP leaders and linked recent Enforcement Directorate action against Mittal to the internal conflict.The Enforcement Directorate recently carried out searches linked to Mittal in Punjab and Haryana under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, covering premises associated with educational institutions linked to him. AAP leaders described the action as politically motivated and timed ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused the Centre of beginning preparations for Punjab elections through central agencies, while party leaders Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia also attacked the BJP over alleged misuse of institutions.Once considered one of AAP’s most prominent national faces and a close aide of Kejriwal, Chadha has in recent months reportedly faced differences with the leadership over strategy, parliamentary approach and absence during key political moments. Chadha has denied allegations against him and called them baseless.His remarks in the Rajya Sabha are likely to further fuel speculation over internal tensions at a crucial time for AAP, particularly in Punjab where the party faces upcoming electoral challenges.
