Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 15: The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended ‘Z+ category’ security cover to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, with protection to be provided across Delhi and Punjab, sources confirmed on Wednesday.

The decision comes shortly after the Punjab government withdrew Chadha’s existing security earlier in the day, a move that coincides with reports of increasing strain between the leader and his party in recent weeks.

According to officials, paramilitary personnel will now be deployed for his protection. The enhanced security arrangement follows a threat assessment conducted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), based on inputs reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

These developments come against the backdrop of recent organisational changes within the AAP. On April 2, the party appointed Ashok Mittal as its new Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Chadha — a shift widely interpreted as a significant internal reshuffle, particularly with Mittal emerging as a new representative from Punjab.

Responding to the change a day later, Chadha remarked that he had been “silenced, not defeated,” signaling possible dissatisfaction over the decision.

Speculation around his future within the party has continued to grow. On April 8, an Instagram post associated with Chadha gained traction after it featured a supporter suggesting that he consider launching a new youth-driven political outfit rather than aligning with an existing party.

Further adding to the narrative, Chadha took to Instagram on April 10 to address criticism of his parliamentary performance. Sharing a video compilation of his interventions in the Rajya Sabha, he stated, “With respect to those questioning my parliamentary performance, I’ll let my work do the talking.”

The video highlighted his participation in debates and questions spanning various public policy issues, reinforcing his stance amid ongoing political uncertainty.