BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has accused the Punjab government of political vendetta after his name was marked under the “shifted” category in the state’s draft electoral roll.
Chadha, who was among seven of the 10 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha members who switched to the BJP in April, has been a registered voter in Mohali.
He alleged that the classification was part of an attempt to target political leaders who had left the AAP.
Raghav Chadha alleges political pressure
Chadha alleged that Punjab government officials, including booth-level officers (BLOs), assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) and the chief electoral officer (CEO), were involved in the classification of his name.
He claimed that officials were aware that the state government controls their transfers and postings after their electoral duties end.
“They know who can transfer them and who can make their lives difficult,” Chadha alleged, arguing that the process was being used to exert political pressure.
He further alleged that Punjab’s police and administrative machinery had similarly targeted former AAP lawmakers who switched to the BJP.
Chadha said the AAP leadership had been angered by his decision to leave the party and accused the government of using its administrative machinery against those who had opposed it.
Punjab CEO’s office responds
The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer’s office declined to comment specifically on Chadha’s political allegations but sought to reassure voters that the current list is only a draft.
An official from the CEO’s office said that if a genuine voter’s name was missing, it would be restored through due process.
The official also clarified that the office could not comment on political allegations.
AAP denies role in electoral roll revision
The AAP rejected Chadha’s allegations and maintained that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is being conducted by the Election Commission of India, not the Punjab government.
The party also accused Chadha of attempting to get his voter registration in Delhi through what it described as a backdated process.
AAP alleged that Chadha was now attempting to blame the party and the Punjab government for the issue.
The competing claims have triggered a political row over the electoral roll revision in Punjab, with the final status of Chadha’s name expected to be determined through the ongoing revision process.
