AAP MP questions move to restrict his voice in Parliament, says raising public issues is not a crime
Raghav Chadha on Friday pushed back against action by the Aam Aadmi Party after he was removed as its Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha and allegedly barred from speaking on the party’s behalf in Parliament.
In a video message posted on X, Chadha questioned the decision and defended his record of raising public issues in the Upper House.
“Whenever I get a chance to speak in Parliament I raise public issues. Maybe I raise topics not usually raised… but is raising public issues a crime? Have I committed a crime? Have I made a mistake? Have I done something wrong?” he said.
“I am asking this question because the AAP told the Secretariat to stop Raghav Chadha from speaking in Parliament,” he added, describing himself as “silenced, not defeated” in his message to the ‘aam aadmi’.
Silenced, not defeated
My message to the ‘aam aadmi’
—
खामोश करवाया गया हूँ, हारा नहीं हूँ‘आम आदमी’ को मेरे संदेश pic.twitter.com/poUwxsu0S3
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) April 3, 2026
Sudden move triggers political speculation
The development follows a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, when sources indicated that Chadha — a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab — had been dropped from the Deputy Leader’s post. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat was reportedly informed to restrict his speaking opportunities.
Sources close to Chadha claimed the move was intended to “silence” him, suggesting that removing him from the leadership role would prevent him from allocating speaking time to himself in the House.
The decision has triggered widespread speculation about Chadha’s future within the party, where he was once seen as a key figure in the inner circle of Arvind Kejriwal.
Party yet to clarify decision
The AAP has not officially explained the reasons behind Chadha’s removal. However, political sources point to his recent absence from key party activities and developments surrounding the liquor policy case involving senior leaders like Manish Sisodia as factors fuelling speculation.
Despite the controversy, Chadha has remained active in Parliament, raising issues such as rising food prices at airports, rights of gig workers, and traffic congestion in major cities.
Questions over internal dynamics
The episode has raised questions about internal dynamics within the AAP and whether dissenting or independent voices are being curtailed.
Chadha’s strong public response signals that the issue may escalate further, potentially impacting the party’s political narrative in the coming days.
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