Explosive drama in Rajya Sabha: AAP’s Raghav Chadha suspended amidst accusations and tensions

In an electrifying turn of events, Raghav Chadha, MP from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), found himself suspended from the Rajya Sabha. This jaw-dropping decision came on the heels of allegations involving “gross misconduct, defiant behavior, and contemptuous actions”. While the report from the privileges committee remains anticipated, the corridors of the Rajya Sabha are abuzz with speculations and murmurs.

Scandal Around the Delhi Bill Sparks Intense Debate

The suspension gained momentum following a significant motion initiated by House Leader Piyush Goyal. He expressed vehement objections against Raghav Chadha, accusing him of adding several Rajya Sabha members to a proposed select committee for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, without their explicit consent.

Adding fuel to this already fiery scenario, Raghav Chadha previously launched a fierce critique against the BJP. He indirectly suggested that the party was on a mission to “muzzle” his voice after he called them out on their “hypocrisy”. This arose post the allegations of him forging the signatures of five MPs concerning the Delhi services bill.

AAP MP Raghav Chadha suspended from Rajya Sabha. Photo courtesy of Unscripted/Wikimedia Commons.

The Controversial Select Committee Rule

Further intensifying the drama, on a recent Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha chairman alluded to grievances from four MPs. They accused Raghav Chadha of nominating them for a Select Committee, seemingly flouting the established norms. However, Raghav Chadha, in his defense, highlighted that the rules explicitly mention that neither the consent nor the signature of a member is essential for their nomination to a Select Committee.

During an impassioned press conference, the AAP leader refuted the allegations, terming them “unfounded”. He indirectly expressed his intent to challenge the BJP Lok Sabha members in court, who he believes fabricated forgery accusations against him.

Raghav Chadha challenged the BJP’s narrative, questioning the credibility of the forgery claims when there’s no evidence of any taken and submitted signatures. He threw down the gauntlet, urging the BJP to furnish papers that supposedly carry the contentious signatures.

Rajya Sabha in Turmoil: Session Closes Amidst Chaos

As the curtain fell on Friday, the Monsoon session came to a tumultuous conclusion. The day witnessed the Rajya Sabha adjourning indefinitely. Throughout the session, the prevailing issue of violence in Manipur took center stage, leading to continuous disturbances.

Tensions escalated, with opposition members vociferously demanding a discussion and an official statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the volatile situation in Manipur.