Saurabh Bharadwaj alleges BJP actively promotes him, ‘he consistently hangs back’| India News

The newly appointed deputy leader of Aam Aadmi Party in Rajya Sabha, Ashok Mittal, called on Delhi L-G Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Friday.

Mittal, MP from Punjab, was appointed as the new deputy leader of the party on Thursday after the removal of Raghav Chadha from the post.

The issue raged on with Chadha, also Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, reasserting he was “silenced and not defeated”; and his party leaders hitting back and accusing him of doing “soft PR” instead of raising real issues in the House.

Mittal is also the founder chancellor of Lovely Professional University in Punjab.

The Delhi Lok Niwas in a post on X said entrepreneur, MP and deputy leader of AAP in Rajya Sabha, Dr Ashok K Mittal, called on L-G Sandhu.

Mittal has maintained that the removal of his predecessor was a normal process and there was no specific reason behind it.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Notably, Chadha’s latest video, which included clips of him speaking on Punjab-related issues – something AAP leaders had accused him of neglecting, is being seen as a response to party criticism. His speeches on topics like water concerns and public health appeared prominently in the montage.

Read more here.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: AAP MP Raghav Chadha received support on social media after his removal as the party’s Rajya Sabha deputy leader, with actor Disha Patani’s sister Khushboo Patani backing him publicly. Commenting on Chadha’s video post, she praised him as a “well-educated and sensible leader” and said the country needs leaders like him.

Khushboo went a step further, expressing hope that Chadha might launch his own political party in the future. “I’m sure you will form your own party someday… we would want to join you,” she wrote, as several users echoed support for Chadha’s focus on public issues in Parliament.

Read more here.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Within AAP, reactions have been sharply split. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann alleged that Chadha was “compromised” and said those who break party lines must face action.

In contrast, newly appointed deputy leader Ashok Mittal downplayed the move, calling it a “normal” and routine reshuffle, saying leadership roles in the party keep changing over time.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Congress leaders suggested the episode signals a deeper split. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said Chadha already appeared “separate” from AAP, especially after his absence during key moments like Kejriwal’s arrest.

Others in the party questioned AAP’s pattern, with former leader Rajendra Pal Gautam saying there’s a need to examine why several Rajya Sabha MPs from AAP eventually fall out with the leadership.

Read more here.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Tensions peaked in recent months as Chadha stayed away from major party positions, including reactions to key political developments and court relief for top AAP leaders. Party insiders began questioning whether he was aligned with AAP’s core strategy.

While Chadha defended himself by highlighting public issues he raised in Parliament, AAP leaders accused him of focusing on “soft PR” instead of bigger political battles. His removal, and reports that he may not be given speaking time, now marks a clear break, turning internal differences into an open political fallout.

Read more here for detailed analysis on what the final trigger was for his removal.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Raghav Chadha’s exit as AAP’s Rajya Sabha deputy leader didn’t happen overnight. Party leaders point to growing differences, especially over his reluctance to take on the Centre in Parliament. He was accused of skipping key moments, like refusing to sign an opposition motion against the Chief Election Commissioner and staying silent on issues like LPG shortages.

At the same time, Chadha focused on consumer-centric topics like data expiry, delivery workers and pricing concerns, earning both praise and criticism. AAP leaders, however, saw this as “soft” politics at a time they wanted aggressive opposition, deepening the rift.

Read more here for detailed analysis on what went wrong between Chadha and AAP.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Newly appointed AAP deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Ashok Mittal, met Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu at Lok Niwas on Friday. Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and founder chancellor of Lovely Professional University, was appointed to the post a day after Raghav Chadha’s removal.

The development comes amid an ongoing row within the party, with Chadha claiming he has been “silenced, not defeated” and AAP leaders accusing him of focusing on “soft PR” over key issues in Parliament. Mittal, however, has described the leadership change as a routine process, saying there was no specific reason behind the decision.

(PTI)

Raghav Chadha news live updates: AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bhardwaj on Friday alleged that the BJP “actively promotes” party MP Raghav Chadha, a day after his removal as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. He claimed Chadha “consistently hangs back” whenever the party needs to raise issues against the Centre in Parliament, questioning his role as an opposition MP.

Bhardwaj said it is the duty of MPs to speak on public issues and hold the government accountable, but alleged that Chadha avoids doing so, even on key matters. The remarks come amid a broader attack from AAP leaders, who have accused Chadha of not following the party line and being reluctant to take on the BJP.

(ANI)

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Amid speculation over Raghav Chadha’s political future, AAP leader and Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi on Friday alleged that the BJP follows a “standard operating procedure” to bring opposition leaders into its fold.

She claimed the BJP uses a mix of intimidation, threats and inducements, leading some leaders to switch sides out of fear, pressure or temptation. “Perhaps the same thing is happening with Raghav Chadha as well,” Atishi said, responding to questions on whether the AAP MP could join the BJP.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: AAP MP Raghav Chadha appeared to respond to the ongoing controversy over his removal as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha with a subtle social media post on Friday. Without directly addressing the decision, Chadha shared a video on X highlighting his work in Parliament, called “My two minutes”.

The video is a montage of his past speeches, showing him raising a wide range of public issues, from data expiry and telecom concerns to menstrual health and hygiene, among others. The clip was posted with just an Indian flag emoji, signalling a quiet but pointed message amid the escalating political row.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: BJP leader Tarun Chugh on Friday criticised the Aam Aadmi Party after it removed MP Raghav Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, calling the move part of a “use-and-throw” pattern within the party. He alleged that AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has a history of sidelining key leaders after initially working closely with them.

Citing past examples like Kumar Vishwas, Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan, Chugh said several figures who once stood with Kejriwal during the Anna Hazare movement later distanced themselves after “seeing his real face”. While acknowledging that Chadha’s removal is an internal matter, Chugh claimed it reflects what he described as Kejriwal’s “arrogant and authoritarian” style of functioning.

(ANI)

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Congress leader Udit Raj on Friday weighed in on the controversy surrounding Raghav Chadha’s removal as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, saying there should be “absolutely no silence” on the issue. He asserted that if Chadha is actively raising public concerns in politics, he must clearly explain what transpired and address the question of who “silenced” him.

Raj further emphasised that political matters cannot be treated as private, questioning the secrecy around the episode. “In public life, matters are not private unless strictly personal. Why so much speculation? Are you keeping someone in the dark or creating a mystery? Speak up,” he said, urging transparency from both Chadha and the party.

(ANI)

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Raghav Chadha recently sought in Parliament that paternity leave is considered a legal right in India.

“I demanded in Parliament that PATERNITY LEAVE should be a legal right in India. When a child is born, both parents are congratulated. But caregiving responsibility falls on one. The mother,” Chadha captioned a video of him speaking in Rajya Sabha on the issue recently.

“A father should not have to choose between caregiving for his newborn and keeping his job. And a mother should not have to go through childbirth & recovery without her husband’s support,” he said.

“Right after childbirth the woman, needs her husband’s presence the most. The husband’s caregiving responsibility towards his wife is equally important. I raised this issue in Parliament because caregiving is a shared responsibility. Our laws must reflect that,” he said.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: On Raghav Chadha’s removal as AAP Rajya Sabha deputy leader, Delhi party president Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Friday, “The primary duty of the main opposition parties is to question the government within Parliament, particularly regarding issues that concern the public… Yet, consider the manner in which the entire electoral system is being hijacked. In every state where elections are held, large-scale manipulation of voter lists is taking place. Votes are being deleted, while false and bogus votes are being added… The Election Commission appears to be working completely in tandem with the Central Government.”

“Whose duty is it to raise a voice against this? Is it not the duty of the Members of Parliament?… Whenever such issues need to be raised in Parliament, Raghav Chadha consistently hangs back… He does not even want to mention the Central Government… The BJP actively promotes Raghav Chadha. His supporters amplify his social media posts. Why do they do this?… The Parliament should serve as a forum for debating serious issues and finding resolutions to them… If you succumb to fear, your political career is effectively over,” he said, speaking to ANI news agency.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: In behind-the-scenes of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) move to remove Raghav Chadha as Rajya Sabha deputy leader, there could be serious matters at play.

These span from Delhi, where the party lost last year, to Punjab, where it remains in power and from where Chadha is MP; and right down to a motion moved in Parliament just last month. Read full report here

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Reacting to Raghav Chadha’s video message via X after AAP removed him as Rajya Sabha deputy leader, party’s national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda said no one is stopping him from speaking as an MP despite being removed from the post.

“I don’t understand why he reacted this way or what he is trying to say. In the Aam Aadmi Party, it is the party’s prerogative to assign responsibilities, and just because a position changes, making such statements is unclear to me. As an MP, no one is stopping him from speaking, but with limited time in the House, we must focus on important issues like democratic rights, rather than matters that do not challenge the government,” Dhanda said while speaking to PTI news agency.

He said he believes the AAP stands for fearless politics and raising people’s issues, and cannot compromise on that.

“I urge him to speak on key matters like Punjab’s pending funds and support efforts like the proposal against the CEC, as his recent silence and hesitation to speak against the Prime Minister raise important questions he should answer,” Dhanda said.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Addressing a press conference on Thursday after being named the new AAP deputy leader in Rajya Sabha by the party, Ashok Mittal said that he has no knowledge about rumours that Chadha might join the BJP in the wake of being replaced as deputy leader in the House.

He, however, said that his predecessor will be given time to speak in the Rajya Sabha.

Earlier in the day, sources cited in a PTI news agency report said AAP has sent a letter to the Rajya Sabha secretariat for the removal of Chadha and also for not allotting him time to speak from the party quota.

Mittal, however, said, “Everyone gets time to speak in our party; it is a democratic process. Raghav Chadha will also be given time to speak in the Rajya Sabha in the future.”

He said that AAP is a democratic party and gives responsibilities to its leaders, and added that the party will decide about Chadha’s role in the upcoming Punjab Assembly polls.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Friday backed the AAP’s decision to remove Raghav Chadha as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, saying that those who “break party lines” should face action. At the same time, Mann downplayed the development, calling it a routine part of internal party functioning.

“This is regular party functioning… It is his call what statements he wants to make. Those who break party lines should be subjected to action,” Mann said, amid a growing war of words within the party over Chadha’s role in Parliament.

(ANI)

Raghav Chadha news live updates: The BJP on Friday said AAP’s decision to remove Raghav Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha is an internal party matter, but criticised any attempt to stop him from speaking in the House. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva alleged that AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal is a “scared” leader who cannot “tolerate capable people” within his party.

Sachdeva also dismissed speculation about Chadha joining the BJP, saying his future is for him to decide. He further claimed that several leaders have previously exited AAP after differences with Kejriwal, accusing the party leadership of using people and then sidelining them.

(PTI)

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has sparked a political row after suggesting that AAP MP Raghav Chadha may be “compromised”. Responding to a question, Mann said that when serious concerns like alleged disenfranchisement of legitimate voters, creation of fake voters, and attempts to stoke caste and religious tensions in Punjab are ignored, it raises doubts.

Mann added that if someone instead focuses on topics like airport food prices or delivery timings, it could indicate they are “speaking from someone else’s side”. When directly asked whether Chadha is compromised, Mann responded with a blunt “Yes”, intensifying speculation of internal rifts within the party.

On AAP removing Raghav Chadha from Rajya Sabha deputy leader post, BJP Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva said on Friday, “Deciding who to appoint as a leader or sub-leader is an internal decision of any party. AAP has done it too, but the way it has been written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that Raghav Chadha should not be allowed to speak is highly objectionable.”

“As a parliamentarian, it is the responsibility of an MP to raise their voice on regional issues or matters that are in the interest of society, which Raghav Chadha has been doing from time to time. Arvind Kejriwal is a coward and a weak person. He cannot tolerate the opposition, whether it comes from outside or from within his own party. Based on Arvind Kejriwal’s nature so far, he only likes to run a collective or organised gang…”

(via ANI)

Raghav Chadha news live updates: Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Atishi is the latest to join the list of party leaders questioning Raghav Chadha on his silence against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government after his removal as the AAP Rajya Sabha deputy leader.

Atishi’s remarks, through a video, came after Raghav Chadha said in a video message he has been “silenced”.

“Why are you so scared of BJP, why are you so scared to raise questions against BJP, Modi ji.. today our country is going through a major trouble… the Constitution is in danger… Election Commission is being misused and West Bengal election is being stolen,” Atishi said.

Raghav Chadha news live updates: On Raghav Chadha’s removal as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said, “This is regular party functioning… It is his call on what statement he wants to make…”

He also says, “Those who break party lines should be subjected to action…”

(via ANI)

Raghav Chadha news LIVE: AAP MP Sanjay Singh has reacted to Raghav Chadha’s video message after being removed as party’s Rajya Sabha deputy leader. In the video, Chadha accused of being silenced by the party.

Sanjay Singh countered Chadha’s claims by questioning him over the silence on issues raised by Opposition against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government.