It’s turned really ugly and public now. Just a day or two back, on April 2, AAP quietly removed Raghav Chadha from his position as deputy leader in Rajya Sabha and put Ashok Mittal there instead. They said it was just a normal change, nothing serious. But Raghav didn’t stay quiet.
He put out a video saying “Silenced, but not defeated.” In it, he showed bits of his speeches in Parliament – talking about middle-class taxes, problems faced by gig workers, mobile data costs, and all those everyday things that actually touch normal people’s lives. He looked hurt but determined, like he was asking, “Is raising real issues for common people now a crime?”
And man, that opened a big can of worms. The party’s senior leaders came out swinging hard, one after another.
Atishi, who was Delhi’s CM, posted straight on X and asked him point blank: “Are you scared of Modi Ji?” She said why isn’t he shouting about bigger things like threats to the Constitution, issues with elections in West Bengal, or even the LPG shortage that makes it tough for families to cook. She added something like, you’re a big influential MP now, maybe you don’t feel these problems the way ordinary people do. That one stung.
Then Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi AAP chief, made a full video. He called Raghav “bhai” but didn’t hold back: “We are soldiers of Kejriwal ji. Fearlessness is our first identity. If someone fears Modi, how will they fight for the country?” He said Raghav had shifted to soft PR instead of real tough battles. Even joked about not wasting precious Parliament time on small things like airport samosas when serious national problems are there. “You’ve grown afraid these past few years,” he said. It felt personal.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and others joined too, calling him “compromised” for missing some party stands, not being aggressive enough against BJP, and skipping certain whips. They insist real AAP style means fearless, direct attacks on Modi and the central government, not just polished talks on practical issues.
Raghav Chadha wasn’t some nobody. He was seen as a smart, rising face – helped AAP big time in Punjab in 2022, spoke well in Parliament, looked sharp. But slowly cracks appeared. He was away in London for eye treatment when Kejriwal was arrested and party was in crisis. He stayed low during some big moments. In Punjab, some complained he behaved like a “super CM.” His way – more parliamentary, focused on aam aadmi daily problems – started clashing with the party’s aggressive street-fighter mode against BJP.
From his side, it seems he just wants to highlight real-life issues that affect you and me. But the party wants loud confrontation.
This kind of open fighting is rare for AAP. They always projected themselves as one united family under Kejriwal. Now, after losing Delhi badly and with Punjab elections not far, the tension is spilling out. Losing a smooth communicator like Chadha could hurt their image, but the top seems firm on discipline.
Till now, Chadha hasn’t fired back more strongly. The bridge looks badly broken. Will he stay inside and adjust, or is this the start of him walking away? Politics is cruel sometimes. People who once fought the system shoulder to shoulder are now doubting each other’s guts.
It feels a bit sad watching from outside, no? What do you think, friend – is Raghav really scared or has the party become too harsh on its own?
Sources:
Times of India, Hindustan Times, India Today, NDTV, and direct videos/statements from Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj on X (April 3, 2026).
