AAP MP Raghav Chadha suspended from Rajya Sabha amid forgery allegations

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha has been suspended from the Rajya Sabha following allegations of forging signatures in a motion related to the Delhi Services Bill. The suspension comes after four other Rajya Sabha MPs raised concerns about their names being included in a committee motion moved by Chadha, without their consent. The suspension, pending the submission of findings by the Committee of Privileges, was announced by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

In a statement, Chairman Dhankhar noted, “I suspend Raghav Chadha from the service of the Council till the Council has the benefit of the report by the Committee of Privileges.”

The controversy stems from a motion proposed by Chadha to constitute a select committee for the consideration of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The AAP MP has faced allegations of including the names of four other MPs – S Phangnon Konyak and Narhari Amin of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), M Thambidurai of the AIADMK, and Sasmit Patra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) – in the motion without their consent.

Piyush Goyal, a BJP member, moved the motion of suspension against Chadha, asserting that his conduct was unethical and unbecoming of a parliamentarian. Goyal accused Chadha of manipulating the signatures and proposed his suspension from the Rajya Sabha.

In response, Chadha defended his actions during a media address, stating that an MP has the prerogative to propose the name of another MP for a select committee without obtaining written consent. He presented the rule book to support his position and emphasized that no signatures were taken or submitted as part of the motion. Chadha further challenged the BJP to produce evidence of the alleged forged signatures.

Chadha also asserted that the BJP’s actions were a reaction to his criticism of the party’s perceived double standards and his demand for justice for the people of Delhi. He accused the Modi government of attempting to suspend members who voice dissent against its policies.

Chadha’s suspension comes amid heightened political tensions and divisions in the country’s legislative bodies. This incident follows recent controversies surrounding various legislative bills and motions, contributing to the already charged political environment.

The AAP MP’s suspension from the Rajya Sabha underscores the significance of ethical conduct and transparency within the parliamentary system, while also highlighting the broader debate surrounding the right to propose motions and the importance of ensuring the consent of all involved parties.