AAP's Raghav Chadha was once the 'super CM' of Punjab, exercising immense power and influence in the state, according to several opposition leaders and AAP insiders.
After Chadha led six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs out of the party and into the BJP, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann took a pointed swipe at his former colleague, referencing 'Kothi No 50', a sprawling bungalow in Chandigarh where Chadha stayed during his visits to the city.
The residence, which falls under the CM's camp office quota, was allegedly used as a 'parallel centre of power' in the state, with police and civil officers, businessmen, ministers, MLAs, and party leaders waiting to meet Chadha.
AAP's own Lok Sabha MP Malvinder Singh Kang flagged Chadha's powers, saying the party made a mistake by giving him too much power.
Opposition leaders, including Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, had also described Chadha as the 'super CM' of Punjab, exercising control over the state administration.
Chadha's departure from AAP has raised questions about his role in the party and his influence in the state.
