Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha on Sunday responded to criticism from within his party, who accused him of failing to raise Punjab-related issues during his tenure as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, a day after he was removed from the post.
In response to the allegations, Chadha shared a video on social media compiling excerpts from his speeches in the Senate, signaling a sharp rebuttal to what appeared to be coordinated criticism from the Punjab unit.
In the clips, he can be heard raising a range of concerns related to Punjab – from the demand for granting heritage city status to Anandpur Sahib to issues like minimum support price (MSP) for farmers, the proposed corridor to Shri Nankana Sahib, and air pollution.
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Chadha replies
The video was accompanied by direct criticism of his critics within the party. “To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to release videos saying ‘Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab issues in Parliament’, here is a small trailer… Abhi Paki Hai pic.”
He further wrote: “Punjab is not a point of discussion for me. It is my home, my duty, my soil and my soul.”
AAP leaders point to ‘inaction’
The response comes after AAP leaders in Punjab on Saturday questioned Chadha’s record, alleging that he has remained silent on several pressing issues related to the state.
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In a joint statement, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, state party chief Aman Arora and senior leader Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal described his alleged inaction as “disappointing” and not in line with the party’s principles, ANI reported.
Cheema said Chadha, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha by MLAs in Punjab, is expected to represent the state strongly at the national level. However, he claimed that the MP did not raise “even a single sensitive issue” related to Punjab in Parliament.
The AAP says key financial issues have been ignored
Cheema pointed out his specific concerns $8,500 crore in outstanding Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues and approx $He said Rs 60,000 crore of losses were related to GST which, he said, was not highlighted in Parliament.
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The ANI report also added that he also pointed out the financial setbacks associated with changes in GST compensation and funding-related issues under the National Health Mission, alleging that Chadha did not address these matters as well.
Another sticking point was the relief package offered by the Center in the wake of last year’s floods in Punjab. Shima said the state has not received it in full $Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 1,600 crore and added that the matter was not raised in the House.
‘Disappointing’ silence, party says.
Describing Chadha’s silence as “disappointing”, Cheema said the party had expected him to take up these matters with the Centre, stressing that such “inaction” was against the basic principles of the RJD.
Echoing similar concerns, Arora said raising public issues without fear is essential to the party’s ethos, and any deviation from that is “unexpected”. He added that the pending financial and relief issues in Punjab require sustained attention at the national level, PTI reported.
Meanwhile, Dhaliwal said there was clear discontent among flood-affected residents, who had hoped to raise their concerns about compensation and relief in Parliament.
