• Source:JND
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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has sharply criticised its Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, accusing him of failing to raise Punjab’s concerns in Parliament and of acting contrary to the party’s core principles.

In a joint statement, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, state unit chief Aman Arora, and leader Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as Chadha’s silence on pressing issues. Cheema said that despite being elected by Punjab MLAs, Chadha failed to raise critical matters affecting the state at the national level. The minister added that the MP did not raise “even a single sensitive issue" related to the state, PTI reported.

Concerns Raised by AAP Leaders

The leaders highlighted pending Rural Development Fund dues of around Rs 8,500 crore and GST-related losses of nearly Rs 60,000 crore. They also cited reduced GST compensation, funding gaps under the National Health Mission, and delays in releasing Rs 1,600 crore in flood relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after last year’s floods.

Calling Chadha’s inaction "disappointing", Cheema said the party had expected him to take up these issues with the Centre. Dhaliwal added that flood-affected residents felt ignored as their demands for compensation were not raised in Parliament.

Chadha Defends Record On Punjab 

Responding to claims that he did not raise Punjab-related issues in Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Sunday shared a video highlighting his interventions on key concerns affecting the state.

In the video, Chadha is seen raising issues such as declining underground water levels, matters related to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, and other Punjab-centric concerns.

Sharing the video on X, Chadha pushed back against the criticism from within the party and underlined his connection to the state.

"To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to issue videos saying that 'Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab's issues in Parliament', here is a small trailer, 'Picture Abhi Baaki Hai'," he said.

He added that Punjab isn't a talking point for him. It is his home, duty, his soil and soul.

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Raghav Chadha’s Removal & Party Rift

On Wednesday, the AAP removed Chadha from his post as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, signalling an internal party rift. The Kejriwal-led party also submitted a letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat requesting that Chadha not be allocated time to speak in Parliament.

In response, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha hit out at the party on Saturday, posting a 3-minute-24-second-long video titled Three Allegations. Zero Truth. He said, "From yesterday, there has been a scripted PR campaign organised against me; it's no coincidence, it is a coordinated attack." First I thought I shouldn't respond. Then I thought if the lie is said 100 times, people might believe it, so I thought of responding to them."

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In the video, he claimed that AAP had listed three allegations against him for allegedly preventing him from speaking in Parliament.

Chadha ended his reply with a blockbuster Dhurandhar film dialogue, referencing that all lies would be uncovered and all questions answered: “Kyonki main ghayal hoon, isiliye ghatak hoon."

 


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