‘Silenced, not defeated’: Raghav Chadha message to AAP after party replaces him as Rajya Sabha deputy leader

After the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) replaced him as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, MP Raghav Chadha issued a strongly worded response on Friday, saying he may have been “silenced, but not defeated.” Chadha’s first reaction, after being removed from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, signals deepening tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Raghav Chadha’s message to AAP 

In a video message, Chadha alleged that the party had attempted to curb his voice in Parliament and asked if it was a ‘crime’ to raise public issues in Parliament. He said that AAP had even written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat seeking to restrict his speaking time. “Whenever I get an opportunity to speak in Parliament, I raise issues concerning the public—and perhaps I raise subjects that are not typically brought up in Parliament. But is raising public issues, or speaking on matters that affect the people, a crime? … I ask this question because the AAP has requested the Rajya Sabha Secretariat to impose a ban on Raghav Chadha speaking in Parliament,” he said. 

“Yes, indeed! The AAP has formally informed Parliament that Raghav Chadha should not be granted the opportunity to speak in the House. Now, why on earth would anyone want to restrict my speech?” he asked.

The Rajya Sabha MP said his interventions were always aimed at highlighting issues affecting common citizens and questioned why the party would want to prevent him from speaking. “Whenever I speak, I speak on behalf of the common man… how does that harm the party? Why would anyone wish to stop me from speaking? Why would anyone want to silence my voice?” he said, adding that public support had strengthened his resolve.

Issuing a direct challenge, Chadha said, “Do not mistake my silence for defeat. I am a river that can turn into a flood,” in what is being seen as a pointed message to party leadership, particularly Arvind Kejriwal.

AAP replaces Raghav Chadha with Ashok Mittal

On Thursdya, AAP wrote to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat seeking the replacement of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha as Deputy Leader in the Upper House, proposing MP Ashok Kumar Mittal for the position instead. “Ashok Kumar Mittal to be the new Deputy Leader of AAP in Rajya Sabha. AAP has sent an official letter on this to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat,” the Aam Aadmi Party said in a statement.

Notably, the changes indicate the party’s internal leadership adjustments in the Rajya Sabha ahead of the upcoming parliamentary sessions. A popular leader, Raghav Chadha had earlier made headlines for advocating that paternity leave be made a legal right in India. He had also argued that caregiving should be a shared responsibility between both parents. Moreover, he stressed that laws must reflect the realities of modern parenting and ensure equal participation of both parents in early childcare.

Raghav Chadha, in recent times, has been posting frequently about his parliamentary speeches, like his paternity leave push, and personal milestones such as his new baby with actress Parineeti Chopra.

Currently, the AAP has 10 members in the Rajya Sabha, including seven from Punjab and three from Delhi.