The Aam Aadmi Party has removed Raghav Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, a position he had held since 2023. He has been replaced by Punjab MP Ashok Mittal.
Sources said a formal communication has been sent to the Rajya Sabha secretariat, informing it of the change. The letter also reportedly states that Chadha should no longer be allotted time to speak in the House.
The development has triggered speculation about a possible internal rift within the party. However, Mittal dismissed such claims, calling the reshuffle routine. He said the party believes in giving opportunities to different leaders.
The move comes amid Chadha’s continued silence on several key developments involving the party and its top leadership. This is not the first time he has drawn attention for appearing distant from party affairs.
Also read: RS to reconvene soon for ‘important bill’: Rijiju
When Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the Delhi excise policy case ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chadha had attributed his delayed reaction to recovering from eye surgery in the UK.
More recently, in 2026, Chadha did not publicly respond after a court cleared Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and others of all charges in the same case in February. His silence on social media regarding the relief granted to party leaders fueled further speculation.
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’ held at Jantar Mantar, where the AAP chief launched a strong attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
A chartered accountant by profession, Chadha has been associated with the AAP since its inception in 2012 and is widely regarded as a close aide of Kejriwal. He has served as the party’s national treasurer and is a member of its Political Affairs Committee, the top decision-making body. He has also played a role in coordinating the opposition INDIA bloc.
Chadha entered the Rajya Sabha after being nominated during his tenure as a Delhi MLA, becoming one of the youngest members of the Upper House.
During his time in Parliament, he has built a profile as a vocal advocate on public issues. He raised concerns about the lack of affordable food options at airports, which contributed to the rollout of Udaan Yatri Cafes offering budget-friendly meals.
He has also championed the cause of gig workers, calling for improved working conditions and even spending a day working as a delivery executive with Blinkit to highlight their challenges.
Follow us
