CHANDIGARH – In a rare public display of internal friction, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has openly criticized its own Rajya Sabha MP, Raghav Chadha, for allegedly failing to represent Punjab’s interests in Parliament.
Senior Punjab leaders issued a joint statement on Saturday, April 4, 2026, describing Chadha’s “inaction” as a deviation from the party’s founding principles of fearless advocacy for public issues.
Key Grievances Raised by AAP Leadership:
-
Financial Dues: Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted that Chadha failed to raise the matter of ₹8,500 crore in pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues and nearly ₹60,000 crore in GST-related losses.
-
Flood Relief: Despite devastating floods last year, the MP allegedly did not press the Centre for the full ₹1,600 crore financial assistance package announced by the Prime Minister.
-
National Health Mission: Concerns regarding central funding under the National Health Mission (NHM) were also reportedly left unaddressed in the House.
-
Public Resentment: MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal noted growing disappointment among flood-affected residents, whose concerns regarding compensation did not find a voice in Parliament.
The Political Context
The critique was led by high-ranking officials, including State AAP President Aman Arora and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. They emphasized that as an MP elected by Punjab MLAs, Chadha holds a mandate to prioritize the state’s sensitive financial and social hurdles at the national level.
This public censure comes at a critical time as the party seeks to maintain its momentum in the region, asserting that consistent representation on all platforms is non-negotiable for those holding a public mandate.
