New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government of engaging in “vendetta politics” and misusing state machinery to target MPs who recently quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Chadha, along with other MPs, met Droupadi Murmu and submitted a representation alleging harassment and “politically motivated” action against them following their exit from AAP.
“All those MPs who exercised their constitutional right to express disagreement with the Aam Aadmi Party and chose to leave it — these incidents and developments were presented before the President today. I also want to tell AAP that as long as we were obedient, we were considered cultured. The moment we left, we were branded corrupt,” Chadha told reporters after the meeting.
He alleged that several former AAP MPs who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party are facing intimidation and coercive action from state agencies. “The Aam Aadmi Party, which accuses others of revenge politics, is itself indulging in dangerous vendetta politics. Since April 24, when we left AAP and joined the BJP, our MPs have been systematically targeted and harassed,” he said.
Citing specific instances, Raghav Chadha claimed that former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh was attacked, while industrialist and MP Rajinder Gupta has allegedly faced disruption in his business operations.
“We left the Aam Aadmi Party on April 24, 2026, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Since then, harassment of our MPs has begun. First, World Cup-winning cricketer Harbhajan Singh had ‘traitor’ written outside his house. Stones were allegedly thrown at his residence, and offensive slogans were raised targeting his family,” Raghav Chadha alleged.
“Then, our colleague Rajinder Gupta, a Padma Shri awardee and industrialist running a major factory in Punjab’s Malwa region—providing livelihood to around 30,000 people—had his unit targeted. The Punjab government allegedly cut off its water supply, and the Pollution Control Board conducted raids to initiate its closure,” he said.
He further claimed that cases registered against MP Sandeep Pathak are “malicious and fabricated.” “These FIRs and notices are so frivolous that they are not worth the paper they are written on. The judiciary will tear them apart,” Chadha added.
Warning the AAP government, he said such actions could have serious consequences. “Using vigilance, the Pollution Board, and the police for political revenge is a dangerous game. You may have started it, but the end will not be good. This must stop,” he said.
Chadha also alleged attempts to target him next through “fabricated cases” and claimed that social media campaigns are being run to malign them.
Appealing to Punjab government officials, he urged them not to act under political pressure. “You are respected officers. Do not succumb to threats of transfer or suspension. Act according to law and in national interest,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the AAP, Chadha said those invoking the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi are now misusing state machinery for political purposes. “The people of Punjab must know how their government is being used to settle political scores,” he added. (Agencies)
