Raghav Chadha: Ex-AAP Leader Alleges Assault Amidst Party Rift

A significant political controversy has erupted within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) following explosive allegations made by former Haryana AAP president Naveen Jaihind against party MP Raghav Chadha. Jaihind claimed that Chadha was subjected to physical assault, including being made to stand like a rooster ('murga bana ke peeta gaya') and beaten, first at Delhi's 'Sheesh Mahal' (referring to the Chief Minister's official residence) and later at a 'secret mansion' in Chandigarh. These sensational allegations, first reported by news agency ANI and subsequently carried by major Indian media outlets like The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Times Now, Republic World, The Economic Times, and The Statesman, link the alleged assault to financial misconduct. Jaihind specifically accused Chadha of diverting funds, claiming that money 'extorted' from Delhi and Punjab, which was intended for Singapore, was instead taken by Chadha to England. He further alleged that Chadha sustained an eye injury during this purported incident and his trip to England, which many believed was for personal reasons, was actually for eye treatment. Raghav Chadha has vehemently denied all allegations, describing them as a "scripted campaign" and a "coordinated attack" against him. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Chadha stated that while he initially considered not responding, he felt compelled to do so to prevent repeated lies from gaining traction. He also released video messages to counter various criticisms leveled against him by his own party. The allegations from Naveen Jaihind come at a time of escalating public discord within the AAP. The controversy intensified after Chadha was removed from his position as the party's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. This removal triggered a public war of words, with several senior AAP leaders openly criticising Chadha. They accused him of engaging in 'soft PR' instead of aggressively raising crucial national issues against the central government. Specific criticisms included his alleged reluctance to participate in opposition walkouts in Parliament, his perceived failure to raise issues concerning Punjab (the state he represents), and his absence during critical party moments, such as the arrest of AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Some AAP leaders, including Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Delhi Minister Atishi, even suggested that Chadha might be 'compromised' or 'scared' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Atishi hinting at a possible political shift for Chadha. Chadha, in his defense, asserted that he has consistently raised public-interest issues whenever given the opportunity and questioned whether speaking about citizens' concerns should be considered wrong. He challenged the party's claims about skipping opposition walkouts and refusing to sign key motions, calling them misleading and false. Chadha maintained that he remains "not defeated" and warned that his silence should not be mistaken for surrender. It is crucial to note that while multiple credible sources report on Naveen Jaihind making these specific, highly sensational claims of physical assault, there is no independent corroboration from official bodies or other verified accounts to substantiate the actual occurrence of the beating incident or the alleged financial irregularities. The reports primarily focus on Jaihind's statements and Chadha's subsequent denials, highlighting the existing internal strife within the AAP rather than verifying the truth of the physical assault itself. The timing of these allegations coincides with a broader pattern of internal tensions within the AAP, which have become increasingly public in recent times. The situation reflects a deepening divide and power struggle within the party, drawing significant media and public attention in India.

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