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Chandigarh: The bitter political standoff between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its now rebel Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has intensified, with fresh आरोप-प्रत्यारोप (allegations and counter-allegations) over security cover and central agency action deepening the rift.

The confrontation comes days after Chadha was removed as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and replaced by Ashok Mittal, a move widely seen as a major internal shake-up ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

Security Cover Controversy Fuels Political Fire

The latest flashpoint emerged after claims from Chadha’s camp that:

• His Punjab government-provided security was withdrawn
• The Centre has now granted him Z-plus security

Reacting sharply, AAP national spokesperson Anurag Dhanda questioned the timing of events and hinted at a larger political design.

“Granting Z-plus security to Chadha on the same day as the ED raid on Mittal cannot be a coincidence… he is being protected so he can be used politically,” Dhanda alleged.

ED Raids Add Another Layer

The controversy coincided with the Enforcement Directorate raids on premises linked to Ashok Mittal, further fuelling speculation and political आरोप.

AAP leaders have indirectly suggested a connection between Chadha’s recent positioning and the central probe, though no official link has been established.

Mann’s ‘Compromised’ Remark

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had taken a direct swipe at Chadha, calling him “compromised”, signalling a complete breakdown of trust between the party leadership and the young MP once seen as a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal.

Opposition Joins the Attack

The issue has also drawn reactions from the Opposition. Congress leader and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa criticised the handling of the matter, raising concerns over the politicisation of security.

He termed the alleged use of security cover as a political tool a “constitutional betrayal” and demanded transparency, accusing the AAP government of acting arbitrarily.

Bigger Political Context

The escalating feud reflects deeper churn within AAP’s Punjab and national leadership:

• Chadha was once considered a key strategist and close confidant of Kejriwal
• His removal from a key parliamentary role signals internal realignment
• The timing, ahead of the Punjab 2027 elections, suggests strategic recalibration

What Next?

With both sides hardening their positions and public rhetoric sharpening, the AAP–Chadha fallout is no longer an internal dispute but a full-blown political confrontation—one that now intersects with issues of security, central agencies, and electoral strategy. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this rift deepens further or gives way to a negotiated truce.