Saurabh Bharadwaj has publicly criticised fellow party leader Raghav Chadha, urging him to focus on raising substantive national issues in Parliament instead of what he described as “soft PR.”
The remarks came shortly after Chadha responded to his removal as the Aam Aadmi Party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, where he questioned whether speaking on public issues had become a “mistake.”
‘Use Parliament Time for Serious Issues’
In a video message, Bharadwaj emphasised that limited speaking time in Parliament should be used effectively to question the government on pressing matters.
He suggested that discussions on relatively minor topics—such as food pricing examples like “samosas”—should not take precedence over critical national concerns.
“Our role is to raise people’s issues and question the government fearlessly,” Bharadwaj said, highlighting the need for stronger opposition engagement.
Questions Raised Over Political Positioning
Bharadwaj also questioned Chadha’s recent political stance, alleging that he had not actively participated in opposition actions, including parliamentary walkouts and key motions against the government.
He further urged Chadha to directly question the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre and raise issues concerning Punjab, the state he represents in the Rajya Sabha.
References to Party Leadership and Past Events
Reiterating the party’s ideological stance, Bharadwaj said AAP leaders are expected to follow the approach of Arvind Kejriwal, which emphasises fearless political engagement.
He also referred to past events, including the arrest of Kejriwal in 2024, and suggested that Chadha’s absence during critical moments had raised concerns within the party.
Internal Rift Speculation Intensifies
The exchange between the two leaders has intensified speculation about internal differences within AAP. Chadha was recently replaced by Ashok Mittal as the party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha.
While the party has described the change as routine restructuring, public statements from senior leaders have added to discussions around internal dynamics.
Call for ‘Fearless Politics’
Bharadwaj concluded by urging Chadha to adopt a more assertive approach in Parliament, stating that effective politics requires courage and direct engagement with key issues.
“Look the government in the eye and question it,” he said, stressing that meaningful political discourse should prioritise the concerns of citizens.
