NEW DELHI – In a dramatic escalation of internal party friction, Raghav Chadha released a defiant video message on Friday titled “Silenced, Not Defeated,” following the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) decision to remove him as its Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha.
The move, which stripped the 37-year-old leader of his authority to assign himself floor time, has sparked intense speculation regarding a rift between Chadha and the party’s top leadership.
“Is Raising Public Issues a Crime?”
In his video address posted to X (formerly Twitter), Chadha questioned the party’s decision to request the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to disallow him from speaking on the floor.
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Public Advocacy: Chadha defended his record, citing his recent interventions on high food prices at airports, gig workers’ rights, and urban traffic congestion.
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The “Nazar” Post: Hours before the video, Chadha posted a highlights reel of his parliamentary speeches accompanied only by a ‘nazar’ emoji, a symbol used to ward off envy or ill will, notably omitting any mention of party convener Arvind Kejriwal.
Leadership Reshuffle & Speculation
The AAP has replaced Chadha with Punjab MP Ashok Mittal as Deputy Leader, while Sanjay Singh remains the Leader of the House.
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The “Liquor Policy” Silence: Sources suggest the demotion stems from Chadha’s perceived absence from key party activities and his lack of vocal commentary regarding the “clean chit” given to Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in the Delhi liquor policy case.
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Internal Shift: Once considered a core member of Kejriwal’s inner circle and a founding member of the party in 2012, Chadha’s sudden sidelined status marks a significant shift in the AAP’s national parliamentary strategy.
Career Trajectory
Since joining the India Against Corruption movement, Chadha has held several high-profile roles:
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National Spokesperson & Treasurer of AAP.
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MLA for Rajinder Nagar (2020) and Vice Chairman of the Delhi Jal Board.
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Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab (2022).
While the AAP has yet to provide an official reason for the demotion, the development highlights a growing transition within the party’s leadership hierarchy as it navigates the 2026 political landscape.
