‘Recently Removed, Yet Present’: Raghav Chadha Takes Dig At AAP In RS Amid Fallout

Last Updated:April 17, 2026, 14:26 IST

The remarks come in the backdrop of tensions within the AAP, which earlier this month replaced Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha with fellow Punjab MP Ashok Mittal.

AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Friday took a swipe at his own party while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, amid a public fallout with the leadership.

Addressing the House, Chadha said, “The leader of the party I belong to is not present in the House," in an apparent reference to senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh. He added, “The newly appointed deputy leader of the party I belong to is also not present in the House," referring to Ashok Kumar Mittal.

Highlighting his recent removal from the post, Chadha remarked, “I am the recently removed deputy leader, and I am present in the House. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to speak."

He made the comments during the felicitation of Harivansh Narayan Singh on being re-elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for a third term. Speaking in Hindi, Chadha congratulated him but described their personal equation as “khatta-meetha".

“I hope this term it’ll not be like that, and in fact turns into a ‘sweet’ relationship," he said, adding that he hoped to get a minute or two extra to speak in the House in the future.

Chadha also praised Vice President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan, who was chairing the proceedings, saying, “Ever since you have become chairperson, a lot of members get time to speak. Earlier during Zero Hour only 5-6 members could speak; not 15-20 members get the chance. Hence, congratulations to you too."

The remarks come in the backdrop of tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party, which earlier this month replaced Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha with fellow Punjab MP Ashok Mittal. Chadha, who was removed from the post, had responded at the time by saying, “Don’t mistake my silence for my defeat."

He later posted on social media, “Somebody gifted me a book this week… I turned to chapter 1 – ‘Never outshine the master’. Some books arrive exactly when they are meant to," referring to the book The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.

Senior party leaders have since criticised Chadha. Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj accused him of raising less significant issues in Parliament, while Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “Yes!" when asked if Chadha was “compromised".

Atishi also questioned his actions, alleging he did not support certain party positions in Parliament.

Chadha, however, denied the allegations, stating, “I challenge you to cite even one instance when the Opposition decided to walk out and I did not support them." On the impeachment motion issue, he said, “Only 50 signatures were required out of 105 Opposition MPs in the Upper House. When six or seven MPs from AAP did not sign, why am I being singled out?"

He described the criticism from his party as “scripted."

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