A political controversy has emerged in Punjab after BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha's name was found missing from the state's draft electoral roll. Chadha has described the development as an act of political vendetta and questioned why his name was marked as permanently shifted despite his claim that his voter registration remains in Mohali.
The issue has emerged during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. As part of the revision exercise, voter records are being reviewed and names classified under categories including absent, shifted, deceased and duplicate. Chadha's name has reportedly been included in the list of voters marked as permanently shifted.
Chadha has questioned the basis for the classification and said that the development should not be treated as a routine clerical error. He has argued that he continues to be a Rajya Sabha member representing Punjab and that his voter registration is associated with Mohali.
The BJP leader also referred to Election Commission guidelines concerning elected representatives and questioned whether the prescribed procedures were followed before his name was removed from the draft electoral roll.
Chadha's allegations have added another political dimension to the ongoing dispute between him and his former party, the Aam Aadmi Party. Chadha was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an AAP nominee in 2022 but joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in April 2026 along with other former AAP Rajya Sabha members. His political transition has since been followed by disagreements with the AAP leadership.
Reacting to the controversy, the Aam Aadmi Party rejected Chadha's allegations. The party said the Special Intensive Revision process is conducted by the Election Commission and maintained that the Punjab government does not decide which names are included in or removed from the electoral rolls.
The AAP also raised questions about Chadha's voter registration and alleged that he had been attempting to shift his voter registration to Delhi. The party argued that voter registration is subject to established procedures and that the responsibility for maintaining an individual's voter details rests with the voter.
The competing claims have created a political dispute over the removal of Chadha's name from the draft list. While Chadha has described the development as politically motivated, the AAP has denied any involvement and has instead questioned the circumstances surrounding his voter registration.
The controversy is taking place during a larger electoral roll revision exercise across the country. The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision process has resulted in the deletion or classification of a large number of names from draft electoral rolls as authorities verify voter records.
The fact that Chadha's name has appeared in the shifted category has attracted particular political attention because he is a sitting member of Parliament representing Punjab in the Rajya Sabha. The issue has therefore prompted questions about the procedure followed during the revision and whether his name can be restored before the final electoral roll is published.
Importantly, the current list is a draft electoral roll and is not necessarily the final position. Eligible voters whose names are missing or incorrectly classified can raise claims and objections within the period specified by the Election Commission. The authorities will examine such claims before preparing the final electoral roll.
Reports indicate that the final electoral roll for Punjab is expected to be published in October 2026. Until the final list is released, changes to voter entries remain possible through the prescribed claims and objections process.
The dispute also highlights the importance of maintaining accurate electoral records. Voter registration determines an individual's eligibility to participate in elections from a particular constituency, making the inclusion and verification of names an important part of the electoral process.
For Chadha, the immediate issue is whether his name will be restored to the Punjab electoral roll following verification. The MP has maintained that he remains connected to Punjab and has questioned the decision to classify him as permanently shifted.
For the AAP and Punjab government, the central argument is that electoral roll revision falls under the Election Commission's authority and that the state government should not be held responsible for individual changes in voter records.
The Election Commission's verification and claims process will ultimately determine the status of Chadha's name in the final electoral roll. Until then, the allegations of political vendetta remain Chadha's claim, while the AAP has denied responsibility.
The controversy is expected to remain a subject of political discussion in Punjab as the state moves towards the publication of the final electoral rolls. The case has also drawn attention to the broader process of electoral roll revision and the safeguards available to voters when their names are incorrectly removed or classified.