In a significant political escalation, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha met with President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday to report what he describes as a targeted campaign of harassment by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab.
The meeting follows the high-profile defection of Chadha and several other MPs from AAP to the BJP on April 24, 2026. Chadha likened AAP’s recent behavior to that of a “jilted ex” who is unable to move on, accusing the party of using state machinery to punish former members.
Key Allegations of Harassment
Chadha detailed several instances where former AAP lawmakers have allegedly been targeted by Punjab state agencies:
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Harbhajan Singh: The former cricketer’s residence was reportedly vandalized with “traitor” graffiti. Chadha alleged that stones were thrown at the house with the complicity of the Punjab Police.
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Rajendra Gupta: The industrialist and Padma Shri awardee has reportedly faced sudden administrative hurdles. Chadha claimed the state government cut off water supplies to Gupta’s factory and used the Pollution Board to conduct raids in an attempt to shut down operations that employ 30,000 people.
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Sandeep Pathak: Chadha labeled recent FIRs and legal notices against Pathak as “frivolous, malicious, and fabricated,” asserting they would not hold up in court.
“Obedient vs. Corrupt”
Speaking to reporters outside Rashtrapati Bhavan, Chadha took a sharp swipe at his former party’s shifting rhetoric.
“As long as we were obedient, we were considered cultured. The moment we left, we were branded corrupt. The party that accuses everyone else of revenge politics is now indulging in the most dangerous form of it.”
Warning to Officials
Chadha also issued a direct appeal to Punjab’s administrative and police officials, urging them to resist political pressure. He cautioned that using the Vigilance Bureau and the Pollution Board for political scores is a “dangerous game” and requested that officers act only in accordance with the law and national interest.
Chadha concluded by stating that he expects to be the next target of “fabricated cases” and social media smear campaigns, but insisted that the group would not be intimidated by the Punjab government’s tactics.
