Chandigarh, April 5: Senior Aam Aadmi Party leaders on Saturday launched a sharp critique against Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, alleging he failed to represent Punjab’s critical financial and social interests in Parliament. During a press conference in Chandigarh, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the MP ignored multiple pressing issues, including nearly ₹8,500 crore in pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues.
The state leadership maintained that despite clear communication regarding Punjab’s priorities, the MP did not raise matters concerning ₹60,000 crore in GST-related losses or the promised ₹1,600 crore in central flood relief. Cheema asserted that the silence in the Rajya Sabha constitutes a disconnect from the mandate given by the state’s legislators and its people.
“Raghav Chadha was elected to the Rajya Sabha by Punjab’s MLAs with the expectation that he would strongly represent the state’s concerns,” Cheema stated. He further affirmed that the MP’s lack of advocacy on these financial setbacks, including funds for the National Health Mission, reflects a compromise of the party’s core mission.
AAP Punjab President Aman Arora maintained that the party was founded on the principle of fighting for public rights without fear. He stated that instead of focusing on the state’s urgent requirements, the MP chose to address unrelated matters.
“Any deviation from that path is unexpected and unacceptable,” Arora asserted while calling for introspection.
Adding to the criticism, party spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal noted that flood-affected residents are deeply disappointed. He affirmed that while people suffered massive losses to infrastructure and crops, their voices were never amplified at the national level.
“We expected him to strongly demand justice and relief for Punjab’s flood victims, but his silence has been a huge disappointment,” Dhaliwal declared.
