Raghav Chadha, MP of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Friday broke his silence after being removed as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, questioning the move through a video message shared on social media.
In the video posted on X, Chadha appeared to question whether his efforts to raise public issues in Parliament had led to his removal.
“Whenever I get the chance to speak in Parliament, I raise public’s issues…but is it a crime or a mistake to do so? I am asking this because AAP has told the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to put a stop to Raghav Chadha’s Parliament address,” Chadha said.
He further questioned the intent behind the decision, asking why anyone would want to silence him despite his focus on public concerns.
“Why would anyone want to silence me?” he said, while also adding a strong remark: “Don’t mistake my silence for my defeat.”
Chadha also highlighted a range of issues he has raised in Parliament in recent months, including high food prices at airports, challenges faced by gig workers, concerns over prepaid mobile plans, and the tax burden on the middle class.
The development comes a day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) removed Raghav Chadha from the post of deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, appointing MP Ashok Mittal as his replacement.
Shortly after being dropped, Chadha shared a video compilation of his speeches in Parliament, accompanied only by an emoji, without making any direct statement on the leadership change at that time.
His relatively low-profile presence during crucial moments for the party has also drawn attention. He was notably absent during major protests following the arrest of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in March 2024 in connection with the excise policy case. At the time, Chadha had said he was in London for eye surgery and is reported to have remained away for most of Kejriwal’s incarceration, meeting him only after his release in September 2024.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has pointed to the development as a sign of internal discord within AAP. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have drawn comparisons with earlier public disagreements involving senior party figures, including the fallout between former Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal and Kejriwal.
