Chadha Meets President Murmu, Alleges Harassment of Former AAP MPs After Joining BJP

NEW DELHI, May 5: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government of “vendetta politics” and misuse of state machinery against MPs who recently quit the party and merged with the BJP in the Rajya Sabha.

Chadha, along with three other MPs, met President Droupadi Murmu and submitted a representation alleging harassment and politically motivated action following their exit from the Aam Aadmi Party.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Chadha said MPs who exercised their constitutional right to leave the party were being targeted and branded unfairly. He claimed that since their exit on April 24, they had been subjected to systematic harassment.

He alleged that former AAP MPs who joined the BJP were facing intimidation and coercive action from state agencies. According to him, former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh was targeted, including slogans outside his residence, while industrialist MP Rajendra Gupta faced disruption of business operations.

Chadha further alleged that Gupta’s factory in Punjab’s Malwa region, which provides employment to thousands, was subjected to water supply cuts and action by the Pollution Control Board. He also claimed that cases against MP Sandeep Pathak were “frivolous and politically motivated.”

He warned the Punjab government against using police, vigilance, and regulatory bodies for political retaliation, calling it a “dangerous trend.” Chadha also alleged that attempts were being made to target him through fabricated cases and social media campaigns.

Appealing to government officials, he urged them to act according to law and not under political pressure, adding that the people of Punjab should be aware of how state machinery is being used for political purposes. (Agencies)