Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha reacted after Punjab’s draft voter list marked his name as shifted. Chadha, who left Aam Aadmi Party and joined BJP, accused the Punjab government of targeting him. He said the draft voter list does not belong to the AAP government as private property. Furthermore, Chadha rejected the possibility of a simple clerical mistake and called it a political revenge action. He said he remains a Punjab Rajya Sabha MP, while his voter ID stays registered in Mohali. Despite this, officials mentioned his name as shifted in the draft list.
The AAP government in Punjab has now taken its politics of revenge to the Draft Electoral Rolls.
I am a sitting Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, with my voter ID registered in Mohali, Punjab. Yet my name has been classified as “shifted” in the draft electoral rolls.
Thankfully,… pic.twitter.com/laAFAAWYiQ
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) September 3, 2026
Draft voter list still allows correction process
However, Chadha pointed out that the current voter list remains a draft version. The claims and objections process allows corrections before the final publication. He said the final voter list will come in October 2026. Meanwhile, Chadha questioned why officials marked his name shifted. According to him, the decision does not appear accidental and indicates political action.
Chadha questions officials behind the process
Moreover, Chadha asked who entered the shifted status and who approved the verification. He alleged Punjab government officials handled different stages of the process. Chadha mentioned Booth Level Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, and District Electoral Officers. He said Punjab government officials manage these positions. Additionally, he highlighted that a Punjab cadre IAS officer serves as the Chief Electoral Officer.
AAP accused of creating pressure through administration
Chadha also alleged that officials face pressure through transfers, postings, and career concerns. He said officers understand who can influence their professional future after election duties. According to Chadha, the AAP government uses state officials to create political pressure. He claimed this method helps carry out political revenge actions.
Chadha links issue with leaving AAP
Chadha said AAP leadership became unhappy after he left the party. He claimed he exited AAP after raising concerns about alleged corruption. According to him, Punjab police and government machinery target people who refuse to stay silent. He also alleged that other MPs who joined BJP faced similar actions. Chadha described the voter list issue as another example of political retaliation.
SIR guidelines and protected list claim
Furthermore, Chadha referred to Election Commission guidelines under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) paragraph 4(d). He said the guideline includes a protected list for elected representatives. The list covers judges, MPs, MLAs, and prominent figures from art, culture, journalism, sports, and public service. Chadha stated that such names should remain included in the draft voter list. He added that authorities should collect required documents during claims and objections.
Chadha alleges intentional guideline violation
Finally, Chadha said he is a serving Punjab Rajya Sabha MP. Therefore, he argued that officials should have included his name under the SIR guideline. He alleged authorities did not overlook the rule by mistake. Instead, Chadha claimed officials deliberately violated the instruction.
