The internal conflict within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has intensified, with senior leaders openly accusing Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha of betrayal. The situation has become more serious after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids linked to party MP Ashok Kumar Mittal. Several AAP leaders have linked these developments to the ongoing rift within the party, suggesting a deeper political conflict.

The tension increased further after reports emerged that Chadha was given Z-category security by the Centre. This decision triggered sharp reactions from AAP leaders who accused him of political collusion. They believe that the sequence of events, including ED action and security cover, is not coincidental.

AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj directly targeted Chadha and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of working together. He suggested that there is a clear pattern involving central agencies, political decisions, and security arrangements.

In a post on X, Bharadwaj said: “BJP Govt toolbox is so so predictable. Raghav Chadha was threatened by ED, and he, out of fear or greed, decided to backstab his party, which made him MP or whatever he is today. When Raghav is called out on Social Media, BJP people come out to defend Raghav. In the position of Dy Leader, AAP replaced Raghav with Ashok Mittal. Now, ED instead of hounding Raghav, goes after Ashok Mittal and raids his home & business. And Centre gives Z+ security to Raghav Chadha. All this appears so much linked to each other. So, the BJP government is so desperate that they raided MP Ashok Mittal for Raghav Chadha. As per sources, Raghav Chadha is behind ED raid on AAP MP Ashok Mittal.”

These remarks reflect the growing distrust within the party. Chadha’s removal as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha has triggered a larger organisational crisis. What started as an internal disagreement has now become a public political battle.

The ED recently conducted searches at locations linked to Ashok Kumar Mittal in Punjab and Haryana. The action was carried out under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Officials said around ten locations were covered in Jalandhar and Gurugram. These included sites connected to Lovely Professional University and other educational institutions. Mittal is the Chancellor of the Phagwara-based university and had replaced Chadha as the deputy leader in the Upper House.

AAP leaders have strongly criticised the raids. They described them as politically motivated, especially because of the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. They believe the timing of the action raises serious questions about intent. At the same time, there was no immediate response from the BJP regarding these allegations.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused the Centre of starting a political crackdown ahead of elections. In a post on X, he said, “Modi ji has started preparations for the elections in Punjab. But, the people of Punjab will not tolerate this... they would give a befitting reply to the BJP.” His statement reflects the party’s concern that central agencies are being used as a political tool.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also criticised the raids. He supported the view that such actions are part of an election strategy. Other AAP leaders echoed similar concerns. Party leader Anurag Dhanda questioned whether the BJP can contest elections without relying on agencies like the ED and the CBI. Senior leader Manish Sisodia also pointed out a pattern where enforcement action is followed by political mobilisation.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh intensified the attack on the Centre. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing institutions for electoral gain. He said, “Wherever elections are held, the BJP uses its own agencies. PM Modi's popularity has waned across the country. Now his only option is to misuse the ED, CBI, and the Election Commission to win elections. This formula of the BJP will not work in Punjab. The sudden and massive attack on Ashok Mittal is an example of the same game. Everyone is standing together strongly, and I will try to raise this issue in the session too. These people will play many such games before the Punjab elections.”

Punjab minister Balbir Singh also criticised the BJP. He described the raids as politically motivated and part of a larger misuse of power. These strong reactions from AAP leaders show the seriousness of the situation within the party.

In response, BJP leaders rejected these claims and launched counterattacks. Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu accused AAP of corruption. He said, “Bhagwant Mann, your party is the one for thieves and robbers. The people of Punjab are filing cases against the state's ministers, and investigation agencies are catching a few corrupt MPs. Modi ji's policy is Clean India; under it, the filth will certainly be cleaned up.” His remarks highlight the sharp political clash between the two parties.

The current crisis within AAP began after Chadha was removed as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. This move was seen as a major setback for him, as he was considered one of the party’s key national faces. He was also known as a close aide of Kejriwal and played an important role in AAP’s victory in Punjab in 2022.

In recent months, Chadha has reportedly been at odds with the party leadership. AAP leaders accused him of not following the party line. They also claimed that he was engaging in “soft PR” and was not strongly criticising the Centre in Parliament. His absence during important political events, including protests and leadership crises, was also questioned.

Chadha has denied all these allegations. In a video message, he said the claims are baseless and politically motivated. He also stated that his silence should not be seen as weakness. He challenged the party to provide proof for its accusations.

The conflict has now moved beyond internal discussions. It has become a public confrontation, with leaders openly questioning Chadha’s loyalty. Bharadwaj’s claim linking him to the ED action has further escalated tensions. It marks one of the strongest attacks by AAP leaders against their own MP.

These developments come at a crucial time for AAP. The party is in power in Punjab and is preparing for the upcoming elections. The combination of internal conflict, action by central agencies, and attacks from political rivals has created a challenging situation. The coming weeks are likely to be critical for the party as it deals with both internal and external pressures.