After being removed as Deputy Leader, Raghav Chadha hits back,“soft PR” jibes to sharp rebuttals by Atishi, Chadha’s exit as Deputy Leader reveals deeper unrest within AAP
New Delhi: In politics, the deepest wounds are rarely inflicted by enemies. More often, they come from within. That is exactly what happened to Aam Aadmi Party’s young and outspoken Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha. Indeed, between April 2 and 3, 2026, a storm rose inside AAP — and consequently, its aftershocks are still being felt.
Moreover, what began as an internal decision quickly escalated into a larger political narrative. As a result, the developments not only drew public attention but also intensified speculation about deeper rifts within the party.
The party seize Chadha of his position as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha. What followed was not just a routine reshuffle story. It became a very public, very bitter war of words that pulled back the curtain on AAP’s internal tensions, disciplinary fault lines, and the unspoken power struggles simmering beneath the surface.
Raghav Chadha Speaks Out
After being removed from the post, Chadha did not go quietly. He posted a video on X and spoke directly to the aam aadmi — the common person — in a tone that was equal parts hurt and defiant.
His message was clear: “I have been silenced, not defeated.”
He revealed that the party had asked the Rajya Sabha Secretariat not to allot him any speaking time. In response, he questioned what exactly his crime was.
He went on to ask whether raising the issue of overpriced food at airports was wrong, and further wondered if speaking up for delivery workers had become a problem. Additionally, he raised concerns about toll burdens and the struggles of the middle class, questioning whether highlighting such issues was now considered stepping out of line.
Bhagwant Mann Hits Back
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann came out swinging in defence of the party’s decision. His tone was blunt, direct, and unapologetic.
Mann insisted the move was nothing more than a routine organisational change. But he did not stop there, He accused Chadha of becoming “compromised” and of choosing soft, feel-good issues over the hard-hitting battles the party stands for.
Instead of raising concerns about MSP, GST dues owed to states, voter list deletions, or communal polarisation, Chadha was busy talking about samosas at airports and pizza delivery, Mann argued.
His underlying message was unmistakable: a party functions like an army, and soldiers who drift from their formation must expect consequences.
Saurabh Bharadwaj Pulls Out the ‘Sholay’ Card
Delhi AAP President and Leader of Opposition Saurabh Bharadwaj delivered what became arguably the most memorable — and pointed — response of the entire episode.
He invoked the iconic Sholay dialogue: “Jo dar gaya, samjho mar gaya” — whoever gets scared is as good as dead.
Bharadwaj alleged that Chadha had been avoiding direct confrontation with the central government.
He skipped opposition walkouts, failed to raise critical Punjab-related issues in Parliament, and instead focused on what Bharadwaj dismissively called “soft PR.” He reminded everyone that AAP leaders are soldiers of Arvind Kejriwal, and soldiers must be fearless.
Atishi’s Measured Blow
Senior AAP leader Atishi brought a different kind of sharpness to the debate. She was composed, but her words were no less cutting.
She made it clear this was not about personal rivalries, friendships, or internal scores being settled. According to Atishi, Chadha had refused to sign an impeachment motion related to West Bengal. He had also failed to raise pressing national concerns like rising LPG prices. She framed the decision not as punishment for an individual, but as a stand for constitutional values and larger public issues.
What the Rest of AAP Had to Say
Anurag Dhanda, AAP’s IT cell chief, said Chadha had simply lost his edge. He had traded his role as an aggressive opposition voice for image management and soft storytelling.
Ashok Mittal, the newly appointed Deputy Leader and a Punjab MP, kept things measured and formal. He described it as a routine rotation designed to give more leaders meaningful experience, downplayed any suggestion of internal conflict, and thanked the party for the opportunity.
The Opposition Pounced — BJP and Congress Move In
While AAP was busy fighting amongst itself, the opposition wasted no time.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said Chadha’s sidelining was proof that he had distanced himself from Arvind Kejriwal’s “anarchic and corrupt” style of leadership.
BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri raised a pointed question: how can a party stop its own elected MP from speaking on the floor of Parliament? He acknowledged Chadha as a capable and effective speaker.
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Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring went furthest of all, declaring that it was now evident Raghav Chadha had effectively separated himself from AAP. He drew a direct parallel with the earlier sidelining of Swati Maliwal, suggesting this was a pattern — not an accident.
Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh — Conspicuously Quiet
Perhaps the loudest statement in this entire episode came in the form of silence. As of April 3, 2026, neither AAP’s supreme leader Arvind Kejriwal nor Rajya Sabha group leader Sanjay Singh had issued any public statement on the matter. In a party where every major move is usually backed by a coordinated communication strategy, that silence speaks volumes.
On the surface, this looks like a simple personnel reshuffle — one Deputy Leader replaced by another. But the ferocity of AAP’s response to Chadha’s video, the sheer number of senior leaders who felt compelled to personally rebut him, and the glee with which the opposition amplified the story all point to something much deeper.
AAP insists this is routine. Chadha insists this is punishment. The truth, as it often is in politics, likely lives somewhere in between. But one thing is now undeniable: the fire burning inside AAP is no longer contained. Its light is clearly visible from the outside, and it is growing harder for the party to pretend otherwise.
