Raghav Chadha Alleges Political Vendetta After Name Removed From Punjab Draft Electoral Rolls

BJP MP Raghav Chadha has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led government in Punjab of political vendetta after his name was deleted from the state's draft electoral rolls. Chadha, a former AAP nominee who joined the BJP in April, was listed as permanently shifted in the draft roll published on August 13. This deletion occurred during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a process that saw approximately 13.37 crore names removed nationwide and 20.66 lakh names removed in Punjab.

Chadha argued that as a sitting Member of Parliament from Punjab, his inclusion in the draft rolls was required under Election Commission guidelines. He claimed the removal was not a clerical error but a deliberate act of revenge by the AAP government, suggesting that state officials who manage the electoral machinery are under the control of the ruling party. He further alleged that other former AAP leaders who joined the BJP have been similarly targeted.

The AAP government and state officials denied these allegations, stating that the SIR is conducted by the Election Commission and that the state government has no role in deciding whose names are included or deleted. An AAP spokesperson added that Chadha resides in Delhi and that maintaining his voter registration was his own responsibility. AAP further claimed that Chadha had previously been reported as attempting to obtain voter registration in Delhi through a backdated process.

Because the current list is a draft, individuals have a window from August 13 to September 12 to file claims and objections. Chadha stated he is currently seeking the remedies provided under the SIR guidelines to ensure his name is corrected in the final electoral rolls scheduled for publication on October 12.