- Mann said that when a party decides specific issues to be raised in Parliament, but a leader talked about "samosas and pizza matter, it raises doubts.
Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has reacted strongly to the removal of AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader in the Upper House, alleging that Chadha is “compromised” with the BJP.
Speaking on Friday, April 3, Mann said that when a party decides specific issues to be raised in Parliament, but a leader instead speaks on trivial matters like canteen prices, he was taking about "samosas being expensive and delivery of pizzas being delayed. it raises doubts about where that leader stands. “It feels like the leader is speaking from another station,” he remarked, adding that the party is bound to take action in such situations.
The Aam Aadmi Party has written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat requesting Chadha’s removal as Deputy Leader and has proposed Punjab MP Ashok Mittal as his replacement. According to sources, the party also asked that Chadha should not be allotted speaking time under AAP’s quota in the House.
Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bhardwaj also criticised Chadha
Amid the controversy, Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bhardwaj also criticised Chadha, questioning his silence on key issues. He alleged that when AAP workers were arrested in Gujarat, Chadha did not speak in Parliament. He further claimed that Chadha refused to sign a proposal against the Chief Election Commissioner and did not support the party during a walkout, instead remaining present in the House. Bhardwaj added that Chadha appeared hesitant to speak against the government or raise real issues affecting the country.
Earlier, Chadha had accused the party of trying to silence him. In a video message, he said that AAP had asked the Rajya Sabha to restrict him from speaking, but asserted that he would continue to fight for the concerns of common people. “I have been silenced, not defeated,” he said.