Centre Grants 'Z Plus' Category Cover To Raghav Chadha After Punjab Govt Withdraws Security Amid AAP Rift

The Centre has provided 'Z Plus' category security to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who is facing backlash from his party leadership for allegedly adopting a soft approach against the Modi government, said the sources.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to provide him with 'Z Plus' cover, following reports that the Punjab government withdrew his security on Wednesday.

According to sources, Chadha will be provided with this high-level security in both Delhi and Punjab. Paramilitary forces will now be deployed for his protection. The decision was based on an assessment by the Home Ministry and a threat perception report from the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

Saurabh Bharadwaj Questions Centre's Move

Senior party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned on 'X' why the Central government appeared so favourable toward Chadha. The sequence of the Punjab government withdrawing security, followed by the Centre immediately granting 'Z Plus' security is being linked to internal friction within AAP.

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Notably, on April 2, AAP made a significant organisational change in the Rajya Sabha by removing Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader and appointing Ashok Mittal in his place. Following this, on April 3, Chadha broke his silence, stating that he was "not defeated, but silenced."

After the row around the Rajya Sabha deputy leader post, the Punjab government also withdrew his security cover. This series of events has surfaced the infighting in the Punjab ruling party.

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The Punjab government has withdrawn Chadha's Z-plus category security cover. Chadha is a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and was accorded by the state government a Z-plus category security cover. The cover was withdrawn a few days ago, sources said.

Chadha said he had been "silenced, not defeated", attracting a retort by his party, which accused him of engaging in "soft PR" and restraining himself from raising his voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre in Parliament. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he believed Chadha was "compromised" for denying the party whip.