“Stop the Soft PR”: AAP Slams Raghav Chadha for Talking ‘Samosas’ Instead of Questioning PM Modi

The internal rift within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has burst into the public eye following the removal of Raghav Chadha as the party’s Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha. On April 3, 2026, senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj and National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda launched a stinging public critique of Chadha, accusing him of practicing “soft PR” instead of confronting the BJP government.

The “Samosa” vs. “Strategy” Conflict

The primary bone of contention appears to be Chadha’s choice of parliamentary topics. AAP leadership has expressed frustration that Chadha used his limited speaking time for “trivial” populist issues rather than direct political confrontation.

• The Accusation: Bharadwaj mocked Chadha for raising issues like lowering the price of samosas at airport canteens or discussing mobile data expiry, calling them “soft PR” moves that the government ignores.

• The Demand: Bharadwaj stated that AAP leaders are “soldiers of Arvind Kejriwal” whose job is to “look the government in the eye” and raise “real national issues” like electoral fraud and the arrest of party leaders.

Specific Allegations of “Fear” and Disloyalty

In a detailed video message, Bharadwaj leveled several serious charges against Chadha, suggesting he has become hesitant to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi:

• Refusal to Sign Impeachment: Bharadwaj claimed Chadha refused to sign an opposition motion to impeach the Chief Election Commissioner and failed to join the opposition during parliamentary walkouts.

• Silence on Punjab & Gujarat: Despite representing Punjab, Chadha was accused of being “too scared” to raise state-specific issues or speak up for 160 Gujarat party workers facing FIRs.

• The 2024 Absence: The party again brought up Chadha’s absence from India when Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in 2024, accusing him of “staying hidden” while the party was in crisis.

• BJP Support: Bharadwaj pointedly noted that the BJP has been supporting Chadha on social media since his demotion, asking him to reflect on “where he started and where he has reached.”

Raghav Chadha’s Defense

Before this public reprimand, Chadha had released a video titled “Silenced, Not Defeated,” where he defended his record:

• He argued that his focus on gig workers, paternity leave, and bank penalties were the issues that truly mattered to the “aam aadmi” (common man).

• He asked if it was a “crime” to raise public interest issues that are often overlooked by mainstream political bickering.

The Current Standing

With Ashok Mittal now officially installed as the Deputy Leader, the AAP leadership has signaled a move toward a more “aggressive” and “loyalist” stance in the Upper House.