AAP accuses MP of shying away from raising voice against PM in Parliament
New Delhi: A day after the AAP removed him as its deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, MP Raghav Chadha Friday said he has been “silenced, not defeated”, prompting the party to launch an all-out attack, accusing him of shying away from raising his voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre in Parliament and instead engaging in “soft PR”.
As he appeared to be falling out of favour with the party’s leadership, Chadha vowed to hit back like a devastating ‘sailab’ (flood) at an opportune time.
Lambasting Chadha, AAP colleagues accused him of indulging in “soft PR” through issues like rate of samosas in airport canteens while avoiding real issues and attacking the Prime Minister and BJP government at the Centre.
They also slammed him with ‘Jo Dar Gaya Samjho Mar Gaya’ jibe (Whoever gets scared is considered dead), over the intensifying bickering over his removal as deputy leader of the party in Rajya Sabha.
Chadha asserted that he was “silenced, not defeated” while sharing an Urdu 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,” he read out the couplet for those who “snatched away his right to speak and silenced” him.
In a video posted on X earlier in the day, Chadha said, “I would like to tell those who have snatched away my right to speak in Parliament to not take my silence for defeat.”
The MP said 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.
Chadha said that in Parliament, he talked about the common people of the country and their issues, including expensive food at airports, problems faced by food delivery riders, food adulteration, toll plazas charges, mobile data expiry, tax on the middle class, among others.
“Anyway, you (common man) have continued to give me unlimited love. Whenever I have raised these issues, you have supported and appreciated me. I thank you for that. Please keep holding my hand like this and continue supporting me,” Chadha said.
Hitting back, 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.
All party leaders are “soldiers” of Kejriwal, he added.
Bharadwaj alleged that in recent months, the government has been cracking down on those daring to question its policies, with critics facing action such as social media account suspensions and FIRs.
He claimed that the government does not care about “soft PR” in Parliament and talking about samosas at airport canteens when bigger issues are at stake.
