Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday took a sharp dig at his former party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), after it questioned the process through which his name was added to the Delhi electoral roll.
Chadha accused AAP of repeatedly bringing up his name despite his departure from the party, comparing its behaviour to that of an “ex-girlfriend” unable to move on.
Speaking in Chandigarh, Chadha said AAP was “only dreaming” about him and continuing to mention him even after he had moved on.
His comments came a day after AAP sought answers from the Election Commission regarding the addition of his name to the Delhi voter list.
AAP seeks details of Chadha's voter registration
AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda has asked the Election Commission to disclose the details of Chadha's voter registration and clarify how his name was included in the electoral roll.
The party has specifically sought information about Form 6, the application used by eligible individuals seeking registration as voters.
Dhanda said the Election Commission should disclose when and where Chadha submitted the application and allow the public to raise objections in accordance with the electoral process.
AAP also cited records from the Rajinder Nagar Assembly constituency, claiming that Form 6 applications received between September 1 and 7 did not contain Chadha's name.
The party has questioned how his name appeared at serial number 747, when the draft electoral roll published on August 31 reportedly contained entries only up to serial number 746.
The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 4.
AAP has argued that if Chadha's name was added through Form 6, the relevant application should be made available for scrutiny just as it would be for any other voter.
Chadha turns attack towards AAP's Punjab record
Chadha also used the opportunity to target the AAP government in Punjab, shifting the focus to the state's drug problem.
He alleged that the availability of illegal drugs had become widespread and claimed that drugs such as chitta were being delivered directly to consumers.
Chadha questioned the government's claims of progress in tackling the drug menace and said the situation in Punjab remained a major concern.
He also raised the case of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, referring to his reported suicide after speaking about the impact of drugs on his family.
“What was the fault of Gulzar Singh, who said his son was suffering because of drugs?” Chadha asked, questioning whether raising concerns about the drug crisis had become a punishable act.
He alleged that Gulzar Singh faced humiliation before consuming sulphas and said the incident had caused widespread anguish in Punjab.
Chadha further claimed that BJP leaders attempting to meet Singh's family were prevented from doing so by AAP workers and the administration.
Bitter political rivalry intensifies
The latest exchange adds another chapter to the increasingly acrimonious relationship between Chadha and AAP.
Chadha's political break with the party and subsequent move to the BJP has already created tensions between the former colleagues. The dispute over his Delhi voter registration has now opened another front, with AAP questioning the electoral process and Chadha turning the attack back on the party's record in Punjab.
With the electoral roll revision currently underway, the controversy is likely to remain a political flashpoint as both sides seek to challenge each other's claims.