Raghav Chadha was ousted as Deputy Leader by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Rajya Sabha and Ashok Mittal was appointed in his place on April 2, 2026. The party officially informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat through letter, also asking Chadha not to be given speaking time through AAP quota.
This action indicates the internal tensions in AAP which was viewed as a cohesive body under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal.
The letter was sent by AAP to the Secretariat of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, April 2, 2026, and was updated in the official section of the Rajya Sabha website by evening.
Chadha is an elected Punjab Rajya Sabha MP who was marginalized to important party activities and did not speak up on critical matters of the seniors. Ashok Mittal, another Punjab AAP MP who was sworn in together with Chadha in 2022, was made the new deputy leader.
Who is Raghav Chadha?
Raghav Chadha is a chartered accountant and AAP national spokesperson who joined the party early and had a fast track to become the Punjab youngest Rajya Sabha MP at the age of 33 in 2022. He was a former Parliament Standing Committee on Finance, MLA of Delhi and the vice chairman of Delhi Jal Board.
Having served as a close aide of Kejriwal and as a member of the Political Affairs Committee, Chadha was the national treasurer of AAP.
Reasons Behind Removal
AAP did not give any official reason, but years of emerging rift between himself and the party, where Chadha kept himself apart, and the happenings of Kejriwal, were attributed.
Speculation encompasses internal strategy adjustments, discipline issues, and his lower public profile in light of Punjab AAP charges that it does not focus on state business.
His removal of him in the AAP speaking quota is an important indication of the party which wanted to restrict his role in parliament.
Raghav Chadha’s Response
Chadha reacted on X (then Twitter), saying that he is not defeated and is silenced, noting concerns he had already raised in Parliament without commenting that he had been removed. Sanjay Singh, the leader of AAP Rajya Sabha, confirmed the change to the press.
The AAP leaders in Punjab condemned Chadha on the ground that he did not speak up on behalf of the state and the Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra offered support to his previous work in the Rajya Sabha after demotion.
This repositioning indicates the changing parliamentary approach of AAP, as it faces such challenges as the legal problems of Kejriwal and Punjab politics. It can be an indication of a drive toward leaders of stronger administrative balance, which might impact coordination of AAP in the Upper House. It is interpreted as a rift that is open to the eyes of the parties and it casts doubt on the future of Chadha in the party.
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