Ex-AAP Leader Alleges Extortion, Assault on Raghav Chadha Amidst Party Rift

Amidst escalating internal strife within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), former AAP Haryana leader Naveen Jaihind has leveled severe and unverified allegations against party MP Raghav Chadha and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Jaihind, speaking to ANI, explicitly referred to Chadha as Kejriwal's 'raazdaar' (confidant) and 'maaldaar' (wealthy), asserting that the entire dispute revolves around money allegedly 'extorted' from Delhi and Punjab. According to Jaihind's claims, Raghav Chadha was responsible for collecting this alleged extortion money from the two states. He further alleged that Chadha subsequently transported these funds to London, deviating from an original plan to take them to Singapore. In a highly sensational revelation, Jaihind also claimed that Chadha faced physical assault, being 'beaten first in New Delhi and later in a 'secret mansion' in Chandigarh,' and was even 'made to stand like a rooster' during these incidents. The genesis of this fresh wave of controversy appears to be Raghav Chadha's recent removal from the position of AAP's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. Following this demotion, Chadha publicly criticized the party leadership, accusing them of attempting to silence his voice. In response, several AAP leaders retaliated against Chadha, suggesting he had become 'compromised' and was afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Raghav Chadha, however, has vehemently denied all allegations, dismissing them as a 'coordinated attack' and a 'scripted campaign' launched against him. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) and through a video response, Chadha clarified his parliamentary record and refuted specific claims. He denied accusations of refusing to participate in opposition walkouts from Parliament or declining to sign an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner, challenging his detractors to provide evidence. This is not the first instance of former AAP leaders raising allegations of financial irregularities and internal corruption against the party and its prominent figures. Notably, in 2017, former Delhi minister Kapil Mishra, another ex-AAP leader, made a series of accusations against Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP, including claims of 'massive financial irregularities,' hawala transactions, and undeclared donations from shell companies. Mishra also sought details of foreign trips of several AAP leaders, including Raghav Chadha. At the time, AAP leaders, including Raghav Chadha, refuted Mishra's allegations, calling them a BJP conspiracy and questioning the authenticity of his evidence. While these past allegations are distinct from Naveen Jaihind's current claims, they contribute to a broader narrative of internal dissent and corruption allegations that have periodically plagued the AAP since its inception. Other prominent leaders like Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Kumar Vishwas, and Swati Maliwal have also either been expelled or publicly distanced themselves from the party over various disagreements and allegations. Naveen Jaihind's latest accusations are serious in nature, involving alleged financial misconduct and physical assault. While the news articles accurately report Jaihind's statements, it is crucial to note that these claims remain unverified by independent sources. The timing of these allegations, coinciding with Chadha's removal from a significant party position and his public dissent, adds another layer to the ongoing internal dynamics within the Aam Aadmi Party, a political entity that emerged from an anti-corruption movement.

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