A fresh political rift appears to be brewing within the Aam Aadmi Party after leader Saurabh Bharadwaj publicly criticised Raghav Chadha, urging him to stop “soft PR” and raise more serious national issues in Parliament.
The remarks came after Chadha responded to his removal as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, a move that has sparked speculation of internal discord within the party. While Chadha defended his record, asking if raising public-interest issues was a “crime,” Bharadwaj questioned his recent approach in Parliament.
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‘Stop Soft PR, Raise Bigger Issues’
In a video message, Bharadwaj said AAP leaders are “soldiers” of Arvind Kejriwal and must remain fearless while questioning the government. He criticised Chadha for focusing on issues like “samosas” instead of pressing national concerns and directly confronting the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre.
According to Bharadwaj, limited speaking time in Parliament should be used strategically to highlight critical issues rather than “trivial matters.” He also alleged that the current government suppresses dissent through FIRs and social media restrictions, making it even more important for opposition leaders to speak boldly.
Bharadwaj further accused Chadha of avoiding key opposition actions, including walkouts and efforts to challenge institutions. He claimed Chadha had not actively questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent times and had remained silent on issues affecting Punjab, the state he represents.
He also pointed to instances where party workers faced legal action and senior leaders, including Kejriwal, were jailed, alleging Chadha did not take a strong public stand during those moments.
Party Leaders Echo Concerns
AAP’s national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda backed Bharadwaj’s criticism, accusing Chadha of hesitating to speak against Modi and focusing on less significant issues in Parliament. Dhanda reiterated that fearlessness is central to AAP’s identity and questioned whether avoiding confrontation serves public interest.
Internal Tensions Come to Surface
The public exchange highlights growing internal tensions within AAP, especially after Chadha’s removal from a key parliamentary role and replacement by Ashok Mittal. While Chadha maintains he is raising people-centric issues, the criticism from within the party suggests deeper disagreements over strategy, messaging, and political positioning ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
