Chandigarh: The political dispute over Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha’s name in Punjab’s draft electoral roll intensified on Wednesday after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused him of trying to blame the party and the state government for an electoral roll revision process conducted by election authorities.

The controversy began after Chadha alleged that his name had been marked as “shifted” in the draft voter list of Punjab. He claimed the move was politically motivated and questioned how his name could be classified as shifted despite his voter registration in the state.

Responding to the allegations, AAP leaders said the preparation and revision of electoral rolls is the responsibility of the Election Commission and that the Punjab government has no role in deciding whether an individual’s name remains in or is removed from the voter list.

The party accused Chadha of attempting to create a political issue by targeting the AAP government over an administrative process. AAP leaders said the allegations against the party and the Punjab government were misplaced.

Chadha, however, has maintained that the classification of his name as “shifted” was not a routine error. He alleged political vendetta and said the matter raised questions about the voter revision process.

The dispute comes after the release of Punjab’s draft electoral rolls prepared during the revision exercise. The status of names listed for correction or deletion can be challenged through the prescribed electoral process before the final roll is published.

The issue has added another layer to the political differences between Chadha and his former party. While Chadha has questioned the circumstances surrounding the voter list entry, AAP has rejected his allegations and maintained that the state government is not responsible for the electoral roll process.

Further developments will depend on the outcome of the claims and objections process and any clarification from election authorities.