NEW DELHI — The internal crisis within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reached a flashpoint on Friday, April 3, 2026, as Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha issued a defiant response to being stripped of his leadership role in the Upper House. In a video message that has sent ripples through Delhi’s political circles, Chadha alleged that the party leadership is actively working to prevent him from speaking in Parliament, marking the most public fallout between the MP and the party high command to date.
- The Removal: Ashok Mittal Takes Charge
On Thursday, the AAP formally notified the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that Ashok Kumar Mittal, an MP from Punjab, would replace Chadha as the party’s Deputy Leader.
The “Muzzle” Allegation: Chadha claimed the party specifically requested the Secretariat to deny him speaking time from the party’s quota.
Chadha’s Stand: “Whenever I get a chance to speak, I raise public issues… Is raising public issues a crime? Have I made a mistake?” he asked on X (formerly Twitter), adding the warning: “Don’t mistake my silence for my defeat.”
- Atishi Leads the Counter-Attack
The party leadership responded with uncharacteristic bluntness. Delhi Leader of Opposition Atishi released a video questioning Chadha’s courage and loyalty during the party’s recent legal battles.
The “London” Jab: Atishi reminded the public that when Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in 2024, Chadha was in London for “months” citing an eye surgery.
The Impeachment Row: She alleged that Chadha refused to sign an opposition-led impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), suggesting he is “scared” of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Soft PR” vs. Real Issues: Atishi criticized Chadha for focusing on “middle-class grievances” like airport food prices and LPG shortages while staying silent on what she termed “grave threats to the Constitution.”
- Bhagwant Mann’s “Compromised” Label
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also weighed in, appearing to confirm that Chadha had been sidelined for “breaking the party line.”
Violating the Whip: Mann noted that Chadha had failed to participate in collective opposition actions, such as walkouts, and remained silent on the arrest of AAP volunteers in Gujarat.
The “Samosa” Critique: In a biting remark, Mann questioned the relevance of Chadha’s parliamentary speeches: “If someone raises issues of samosa rates or pizza delivery instead of the GST or MSP, won’t you doubt that the person is speaking from some other station?”
The Internal Rift: Key Allegations vs. Defense
| Point of Conflict | AAP Leadership Allegation | Raghav Chadha’s Defense |
| Loyalty | Stayed in London during Kejriwal’s 2024 arrest. | Claims he was recovering from a necessary eye surgery. |
| Parliamentary Focus | Focuses on “Soft PR” (Airport food, gig workers). | Argues he is the only one raising “real public interest” issues. |
| Political Stance | Refused to sign impeachment motion against CEC. | Maintains he is being “silenced” for his independence. |
| Discipline | Repeatedly violated the party whip and line. | Claims his removal is an attempt to suppress his voice. |
BJP Reacts: “End of Democracy in AAP”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wasted no time in capitalizing on the infighting. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva stated that the spat proves “dialogue and democracy within AAP have completely ended,” labeling Chadha a “victim of Kejriwal’s anarchy.”