AAP removes Raghav Chadha as Rajya Sabha deputy leader, appoints Ashok Mittal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has removed Raghav Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing him with Punjab MP Ashok Mittal in a move that has drawn attention within political circles.

The party has formally communicated the change to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, requesting that Mittal be recognised as the new deputy leader in the Upper House. Mittal, who also serves as the chancellor of Lovely Professional University, now takes on the role previously held by Chadha. AAP leader Sanjay Singh continues as the party’s leader in the Rajya Sabha.

With 10 members in the Upper House—seven from Punjab and three from Delhi—AAP remains the fourth-largest party in the Rajya Sabha after the BJP, Congress and Trinamool Congress.

While the party has not publicly explained the reason behind the change, the decision is being seen as significant given Chadha’s prominence within AAP. Once considered part of the party’s core leadership group, his removal from a key parliamentary position has sparked discussion about shifting internal dynamics.

In addition to the leadership change, the party has also indicated that Chadha may not be allotted speaking time from its parliamentary quota, a step that could limit his visibility in the House. Parliamentary speaking time is often seen as a crucial tool for political messaging and influence.

Over the past few years, Chadha has built a reputation as one of AAP’s more visible parliamentary voices. His interventions in the Rajya Sabha have covered a range of public issues, including urban infrastructure, gig economy workers, and social concerns such as menstrual hygiene. These efforts helped him gain attention beyond the party’s traditional base.

Political observers note that leadership reshuffles in parties are not uncommon, especially as organisations expand and rebalance responsibilities. However, such decisions often carry broader implications, particularly when they involve leaders with a growing public profile.

AAP, which emerged from an anti-corruption movement and is led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has evolved into a more structured political organisation in recent years. As the party expands its presence beyond Delhi, managing leadership roles and public messaging has become increasingly important.

Chadha, 37, has been associated with AAP since its early days. A chartered accountant by profession, he joined the party during the India Against Corruption movement phase and was involved in drafting the Delhi Lokpal Bill. Over time, he rose through the ranks, serving as national spokesperson and treasurer before being elected as an MLA in Delhi and later nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2022.

Recent months had already seen speculation about his position within the party, with his relative absence from some key developments and public discussions drawing attention. Despite this, he has continued to raise policy-related issues in Parliament.

Ashok Mittal, in his initial remarks after the appointment, described the change as part of the party’s internal process of giving different leaders an opportunity to take on responsibilities.

The development comes at a time when AAP is navigating both political expansion and governance challenges. Changes in leadership roles, especially in Parliament, could influence how the party presents its agenda at the national level.

As of now, there has been no official comment from Raghav Chadha regarding the decision. The coming weeks may provide more clarity on his role within the party and how AAP plans to position its leadership going forward.