Raghav Chadha Faceoff: Z security, ED raids row: AAP-Raghav Chadha faceoff turns ugly; BJP piles on | India News

‘BJP People come out for protection Raghav‘: Bharadwaja aimed at Chadha

AAP MLA Sourav Bharadwaj launched a direct attack on Chadha and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging a coordinated pattern involving central agencies, political appointments and security cover.In a post on X, Bharadwaj said: “The BJP government’s toolbox is so predictable. Raghav Chadha was threatened by ED and he decided to backstab his party out of fear or greed who made him MP or whatever he is today. When Raghav was called out on social media, BJP people came out to defend Raghav. In the post of Dy leader, AAP has replaced Raghav with Ashok Mittal. Now instead of catching ED Raghav, Ashok goes after Mittal and raids his house and business. And Kendra gives Raghav Chadha Z+ security. All these appear very connected to each other. So the BJP government is so desperate that they have launched a raid against MP Ashok Mittal for Raghav Chadha. According to sources, Raghav Chadha is behind the ED raid on AAP MP Ashok Mittal.”The comments reflect growing distrust within the AAP ranks, where Chadha’s recent removal as deputy leader of the Rajya Sabha has triggered a wider political and organizational crisis.

The ED’s operation against Ashok Mittal has created a political storm

ED raids premises linked to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal Punjab and under the Haryana Foreign Exchange Management Act. Officials said around 10 sites in Jalandhar and Gurugram have been covered, including sites affiliated to Lovely Professional University and associated educational institutions.Mittal, who replaced Chadha as deputy leader in the upper house, is also chancellor of the Phagwara-based university. AAP leaders described the move as politically motivated, especially in the context of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.There was no immediate response from the BJP on the AAP leaders’ allegations.

Kejriwal alleged that BJP is using agencies before the polls

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal accused the Center of launching a political crackdown ahead of the elections.In a post on X, he said, “Modiji has started preparations for Punjab elections. But, people of Punjab will not tolerate this… They will give a befitting reply to BJP.”Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also condemned the campaign, echoing concerns that central agencies were being used as part of election tactics.AAP leader Anurag Dhanda questioned whether the BJP could contest elections without relying on agencies like the ED and CBI, while senior leader Manish Sisodia alleged a pattern where enforcement action is followed by political mobilization.

Sanjay Singh called the attack on the Centre, the campaign ‘an example of the same game’

AAP MP Sanjay Singh intensified the attack, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing the institution for electoral gains.“Wherever elections are held, BJP uses its own agency. PM Modi’s popularity has gone down across the country. Now his only option is to win elections by misusing ED, CBI, and Election Commission. This formula of BJP will not work in Punjab. The sudden and massive attack on Ashok Mittal is an example of the same game. Everyone is standing strong together, and I will try to raise this issue in the session as well. These people will play many such games before the Punjab elections,” he said.Punjab minister Balbir Singh also criticized the BJP, alleging misuse of the agency and calling the move politically motivated.

BJP hit back, calling AAP a ‘party of thieves’

Responding to the allegations, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has launched a counter-attack against AAP by alleging corruption.“Bhagwant Maan, your party is a band of thieves. People of Punjab are filing cases against state ministers, and investigative agencies are catching some corrupt MPs. Modiji’s policy is Clean India; under it, dirt must be cleaned,” he said.The sharp exchange underscores the intense political battle in Punjab ahead of the elections, with both sides trading allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

What triggered the AAP vs Raghav Chadha fall-out

The current crisis comes on the back of Chadha’s removal as deputy leader of the Rajya Sabha, seen as a major blow to one of AAP’s prominent national faces. Once a close aide of Kejriwal and considered a key strategist behind the party’s Punjab win in 2022, Chadha has found himself at odds with the leadership in recent months.AAP leaders accused him of deviating from the party line, using what they called “soft PR” and failing to aggressively target the Center in Parliament. They also pointed to his absence at key political moments, including protests and leadership crises.Chadha, however, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. In a video message, he said his silence should not be mistaken for weakness and challenged the party to provide evidence for his claims.The fallout has now moved beyond internal disagreements into a full-blown public conflict, with leaders openly questioning Chadha’s loyalty and intentions. Bharadwaj’s comments linked him to the ED’s move, which marked one of the sharpest attacks on the party’s own MP.The developments come at a crucial time for the AAP, especially in Punjab where it is in power and faces an upcoming electoral challenge. A combination of internal dissension, central agency moves and political attacks by rivals created a volatile environment for the party.