MP Raghav Chadha launches helpline, seeks suggestions from residents in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Ruchika M Khanna

Chandigarh, August 7

In what seems to be an attempt to assert his authority in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Sunday released a number on which Punjabis can “suggest” issues they want him to raise in Parliament.

The announcement comes close on the heels of a meeting of party MLAs called by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann last week. Chadha, who otherwise is present in all important party meetings, was in Delhi the day this meeting was called by the CM. Since no minister or any other officer was present in that meeting of the CM with party MLAs, it was again viewed in political circles as the CM’s attempt to come out of the shadow of his party’s political bosses.

Raise your issues here

• After releasing the helpline number 9910944444, Chadha said through this number, people of Punjab can send their suggestions and feedback on the issues they wish should be raised in Parliament.
• People can also share videos or documents through WhatsApp on this number

Both CM Mann and those close to Chadha have denied that there is any rift between the two leaders in the wake of resignation by former AG Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu. While the CM categorically said rumours of a rift between him and Chadha were being spread by political rivals in AAP, those close to Chadha, too, dismissed these as baseless political speculation.

Party insiders, however, say that though there was no rift, a fine balance of power was being created between the two leaders by the party top brass, so as to avoid any centralisation of power.

Three crore punjabis on his mind

The aim is to seek suggestions and address the concerns of three crore Punjabis, whose voice is rarely heard in Parliament. I will be the medium through which the people of Punjab can voice their concerns. —Raghav Chadha, AAP MP

It may be mentioned that it was exactly a month ago that the Punjab Government’s Department of General Administration had announced that a temporary Advisory Committee would be set up. It was believed that Chadha would be the chairperson of this committee. This had then led to a widespread political mudslinging, with the Opposition parties accusing the CM of handing over the affairs of the state to his political bosses.

A writ was also filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging this appointment, but this was disposed of with the direction to the state government to decide on a representation by the petitioner in this regard. Inquiries made by The Tribune reveal that to date, the notification of this appointment has not been issued by the state government.

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