New Delhi, April 2026 — In a dramatic shift in the political landscape, the Central Government has stepped in to provide Z+ security cover to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha. The move comes immediately after the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, withdrew his security detail amidst an intensifying internal rift.

What began as a leadership shuffle within the party has now escalated into a full-blown security and political crisis, with the Centre acting on intelligence that suggests the MP’s safety was compromised by the state’s sudden withdrawal of protection.

A Security Reinstatement Amidst Political Turmoil

The Union Home Ministry’s decision to grant Z+ cover—the highest level of security—follows a threat assessment by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). According to reports, the Delhi Police has been directed to provide immediate protection until a permanent central paramilitary arrangement is established.

The intervention is notable for its timing: it directly counters the Bhagwant Mann government’s decision to revoke Chadha’s security, a move that critics suggest was a punitive measure following the MP’s fallout with the AAP top brass.

The “Compromised” Allegation

The rift between Chadha and the Aam Aadmi Party became public after he was removed as the party’s Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha and replaced by Ashok Kumar Mittal. While the party officially termed it a “leadership shuffle,” the rhetoric from senior leaders tells a different story:

• Failure to Raise Issues: Party insiders allege Chadha did not advocate for Punjab-specific issues as directed.
• Parliamentary Defiance: He reportedly skipped critical opposition walkouts and failed to sign an impeachment petition against the Chief Election Commissioner.
• Direct Attacks: Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and CM Bhagwant Mann have publicly labeled Chadha as “compromised,” accusing him of acting against the party’s interests.

The “Coordinated Attack” Defense

Raghav Chadha has hit back at these allegations, describing the series of events—from his removal in Parliament to the withdrawal of his security—as a “coordinated attack.” He has denied all allegations of being compromised, maintaining that his actions remained aligned with his duties as a representative of the people.

Broader Pressures on AAP Leadership

The political drama isn’t limited to Chadha. In a simultaneous development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on the business and residential properties of Ashok Kumar Mittal—the man who replaced Chadha—under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The opposition has wasted no time in calling these moves “politically motivated,” suggesting that both the security reinstatement for Chadha and the raids on Mittal are part of a larger chess game between the Centre and AAP.

Bottom Line

The era of Raghav Chadha as a core strategist for AAP appears to be in its final chapters, replaced by a cold war between the MP and his party leadership. By granting Z+ security, the Centre has effectively stepped into a local party feud, signaling that while the Punjab government may have withdrawn its trust, the Union government is now the one watching over the MP.