03 April,2026 02:55 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Raghav Chadha. Pic/PTI
Internal tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have surfaced publicly, with Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bhardwaj criticising party MP Raghav Chadha for what he described as focusing on "soft PR" instead of raising key national issues in Parliament.
The remarks come a day after Chadha questioned his removal as the party's Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, a post now held by Ashok Kumar Mittal.
Responding to Chadha's statement, Bhardwaj said that AAP, being a relatively small party in Parliament, has limited time to raise issues and must prioritise matters of national importance.
He criticised Chadha for allegedly focusing on less significant topics, saying parliamentary time should instead be used to address major national concerns, including politically sensitive developments across states.
Bhardwaj stressed that the party expects its leaders to take strong positions against the central government when necessary. He suggested that raising lighter or less impactful topics does not contribute meaningfully to public discourse.
He also invoked the party's broader political philosophy, stating that its leaders must speak fearlessly and confront issues directly.
The AAP leader further questioned Chadha's role during key opposition actions in Parliament. Referring to a recent motion moved by opposition parties against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Bhardwaj claimed Chadha did not support the initiative.
He also alleged that Chadha did not participate in coordinated opposition protests, raising concerns about his alignment with the party's strategy.
Bhardwaj took aim at Chadha's absence during a critical phase when several AAP leaders, including party chief Arvind Kejriwal, faced legal action. He claimed that party leaders were actively confronting political challenges at the time, while Chadha was not present in the country.
He asserted that leaders must stand with the party during difficult moments and raise issues forcefully in Parliament.
Raghav Chadha, who has been a Rajya Sabha MP since 2022, has previously raised issues related to gig workers, public health and social welfare. However, Bhardwaj's remarks suggest growing dissatisfaction within sections of the party regarding his approach.
The criticism follows AAP's decision to appoint Ashok Kumar Mittal as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Chadha. The move is being seen as part of a broader internal recalibration within the party's parliamentary leadership.
The developments indicate emerging fault lines within AAP, even as the party prepares for upcoming political challenges at both the state and national levels.
