The Punjab government has withdrawn the Z+ category security cover provided to Raghav Chadha, amid an ongoing rift within the Aam Aadmi Party.

According to sources, the security personnel deployed by Punjab Police have been asked to report back, marking a significant development in the political dispute involving the Rajya Sabha MP.

The move comes shortly after Chadha was removed from his position as deputy leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha, signalling deepening differences between him and the party leadership.

Centre offers fresh security arrangement

Soon after the withdrawal, the Ministry of Home Affairs stepped in to provide security cover to Chadha.

Sources indicate that he will now receive Z-category security in Delhi and Punjab, while a Y-category cover may be provided in other parts of the country.

This shift ensures continued protection for the MP despite the withdrawal of state-provided security.

Fallout linked to political disagreement

The development is part of a broader fallout between Chadha and his party. He was recently replaced as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, with the party reportedly expressing dissatisfaction over his political approach and conduct in Parliament.

Chadha, however, has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and asserting that his focus has been on raising public issues rather than engaging in political confrontation.

Growing divide within party ranks

Once considered a close associate of Arvind Kejriwal and a prominent face of the party, Chadha’s recent removal from key roles and the withdrawal of his security underline a widening internal divide.

He is among the few leaders in the party who have recently found themselves at odds with the leadership, indicating shifting dynamics within the organisation.

Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said the opposition parties will oppose the government’s move related to the women’s reservation bill, calling its implementation approach “politically motivated”.

Speaking after a meeting of opposition leaders in New Delhi, Kharge clarified that the opposition is not against the idea of reservation for women, but has serious concerns over how the government plans to implement it.

He stated that while the bill itself has been supported in the past, the current process involving delimitation is being opposed.

Concerns over delimitation and implementation

According to opposition leaders, linking the implementation of the women’s quota with delimitation raises questions about fairness and intent. Kharge alleged that the move is aimed at gaining political advantage and suppressing opposition voices.

He said the opposition would raise the issue in Parliament and resist the proposed changes.

Other leaders echoed similar concerns, claiming that the delimitation process could be used to influence electoral outcomes. The opposition has maintained that the women’s reservation law passed earlier should be implemented without additional conditions.

Rahul Gandhi raises concerns over representation

Rahul Gandhi also criticised the proposal, stating that it could impact representation of marginalised communities.

He alleged that the move may ignore caste census data and could lead to unequal treatment of certain regions and social groups.

Parliament session likely to see heated debate

The developments come ahead of an extended budget session of Parliament, where key bills related to delimitation and constitutional amendments are expected to be discussed.

The opposition has indicated it will unite to challenge the government’s approach, setting the stage for a major political confrontation in the upcoming session.

Samrat Choudhary has been chosen as the new chief minister of Bihar, marking a major political shift in the state. His elevation follows the resignation of Nitish Kumar, who is set to move to the Rajya Sabha.

With this development, Choudhary becomes the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party to occupy the top post in Bihar, a state long dominated by Nitish Kumar’s leadership for over two decades.

Who is Samrat Choudhary

Born on November 16, 1968, Samrat Choudhary is a seasoned politician with a long career in Bihar politics. He has served in multiple key roles, including deputy chief minister and minister in various state departments.

He represents the Tarapur assembly constituency and has previously held positions such as leader of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council and president of the BJP’s Bihar unit.

Choudhary comes from a political family, with his father, Shakuni Choudhary, also being an established political figure. Over the years, he has built a strong grassroots presence, particularly in the Munger region.

Political journey and rise in BJP

Choudhary began his political career in the 1990s and was earlier associated with parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal (United) before joining the BJP.

His rise within the BJP has been steady, culminating in his appointment as deputy chief minister in 2024. He handled important portfolios such as finance, urban development, and panchayati raj during his tenure.

He is also considered an influential OBC leader, which is seen as a key factor in his selection as chief minister, reflecting the party’s strategy to broaden its social base.

A major political shift in Bihar

Choudhary’s appointment signals a new phase in Bihar politics, with the BJP taking direct leadership of the state government. The party, which is the single-largest in the assembly, elected him as its legislative party leader, clearing the path for his swearing-in as chief minister.

His leadership will be closely watched as he takes charge after a long period dominated by Nitish Kumar.