‘Stop soft PR, question BJP instead’: AAP hits back at Raghav Chadha after Rajya Sabha row

A political face-off has emerged within the Aam Aadmi Party after its Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha questioned his removal from a key parliamentary role, prompting a sharp response from party leaders who accused him of focusing on “soft PR” instead of raising critical national issues. The exchange has intensified speculation about internal differences within the party leadership.

Responding to Chadha’s remarks, senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj advised him to prioritise substantive issues in Parliament and directly question the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government. In a pointed message, Bharadwaj said that limited speaking time in Parliament should be used to address major national concerns rather than what he described as trivial topics, including references to “samosas” and similar issues.

Bharadwaj further alleged that Chadha had avoided taking strong positions on key political developments, including opposition protests, alleged voter-related concerns and legal challenges involving party leaders. He questioned Chadha’s absence during critical moments, including when party leaders faced legal action, and accused him of hesitating to confront the central government on significant issues.

The remarks came shortly after Chadha released a video stating that he had consistently raised issues affecting the common man, such as high airport prices, gig workers’ challenges and telecom policies. He questioned whether such interventions had become a “crime” and asserted that his silence should not be mistaken for defeat, indirectly raising concerns about being sidelined within the party.

The AAP leadership has maintained that Chadha’s removal from the Rajya Sabha deputy leader post and his replacement by Ashok Mittal was part of internal restructuring. However, the public exchange of statements has brought underlying tensions into the spotlight, fuelling political debate over the party’s internal dynamics and strategic direction.