Raghav Chadha removed as AAP’s Rajya Sabha deputy leader, sparks rift buzz
NEW DELHI, APR 2 : The Aam Aadmi Party has removed Raghav Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, a post he has occupied since 2023, party sources said. He has been replaced by Punjab MP Ashok Mittal.
A formal communication has been sent to the Rajya Sabha secretariat regarding the change, sources added. The letter also mentions that Chadha should not be allotted time to speak in Parliament.
As the move led to rumblings of a rift within the party, Ashok Mittal told India Today TV that all was well, and that the change-up was routine. “The party believes everyone should have a chance,” he said.
The move comes amid Chadha’s continued silence on key developments involving the AAP and its top leadership. However, this is not the first time he has faced scrutiny for seemingly keeping distance from party affairs.
When Kejriwal was arrested in the liquor scam case ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Punjab MP had cited recovery from eye surgery in the UK for his delayed response.
Cut to 2026. Chadha did not publicly react after a court cleared AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and others of all charges in the Delhi excise policy case in February. He also did not post on social media about the relief to his party colleagues, which set tongues wagging.
The 37-year-old MP was also absent from key party events, including a press conference addressed by Kejriwal at the party office and a ‘jan sabha’ at Jantar Mantar where the AAP chief launched a sharp attack on the ruling BJP.
Chadha, a chartered accountant, has been with the AAP since its inception in 2012 and is considered close to Kejriwal. He has served as the party’s national treasurer and is a member of its Political Affairs Committee, the highest decision-making body. He has also played a role in coordinating the opposition INDIA bloc.
He entered the Rajya Sabha after being elevated during his term as an MLA in Delhi, becoming one of the youngest members of the Upper House.
As a Rajya Sabha MP, Chadha has positioned himself as a champion of the people by raising issues that have an impact on their quality of life. He spotlighted the lack of budget-friendly food options at airports across the country. This led to the introduction of Udaan Yatri cafes that offer refreshments at affordable prices.
He has stood up for the little guy, batting for the rights of gig workers and seeking a ban on “the tyranny” of 10-minute deliveries. In fact, he spent a day as a Blinkit delivery executive to shed light on the harsh work conditions.
In the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, he demanded a law to make paid paternity leave a legal right in India. He’s also actively raised consumer rights issues, calling for 30-day telecom tariff plans and greater flexibility in mobile data rollover and transfer.
He has also served as vice chairman of the Delhi Jal Board and as an advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Chadha currently holds the role of Punjab co-incharge for the party.
-PTI
