New Delhi | April 02, 2026 — The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) decision to replace Raghav Chadha as the Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha has sent ripples through the political corridors of Delhi and Punjab. While the party officially frames the move as a “rotational learning process,” insiders and reports suggest a deeper disconnect between the high-profile MP and the party leadership.
The “Core” Reasons for the Shift
According to sources familiar with the development and reports by PTI, the decision stems from three primary factors:
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Strategic Silence: Chadha’s perceived lack of vocal support during the high-profile arrests of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia was reportedly a major point of contention. While Chadha was initially abroad for medical reasons during the 2024 arrests, his limited engagement with the legal and political battle upon his return stayed “under the scanner.”
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Physical Absence: Party leaders cited his absence from key events led by Kejriwal and a perceived reduction in his contribution to AAP’s political campaigns.
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Divergent Focus: While Chadha remained active in Parliament—raising issues like gig worker rights, airfares, and “Sarpanch Pati” culture—the party felt these efforts were disconnected from the immediate political priorities of the AAP leadership.
Meet the New Deputy Leader: Ashok Kumar Mittal
Replacing Chadha is Ashok Kumar Mittal, a fellow Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and the Chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU).
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The Transition: AAP has formally notified the Rajya Sabha Secretariat of the change.
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Mittal’s Stance: Speaking to the media, Mittal downplayed the “demotion” narrative, stating, “Our party wants all MPs to learn… I have been given this role so that I can learn the processes and administrative skills.”
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The “BJP Defection” Rumors: Mittal dismissed speculation that Chadha might defect to the BJP, labeling them as mere rumors.
A Cold Shoulder in the House?
Perhaps the most significant blow to Chadha’s standing is the current status of his participation in the Upper House:
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Speaking Time: Reports indicate that the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has denied Chadha’s request to speak in the current session.
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The Reason: Under parliamentary rules, time is allocated to parties, and AAP has reportedly not allocated any of its designated time to Chadha following his removal from the leadership post.
What’s Next for Chadha?
Despite the apparent sidelining, Ashok Mittal maintained that Chadha remains a part of the “democratic process” and that his role in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections will be evaluated in due course. For now, one of AAP’s most recognizable faces finds himself on the periphery of the party’s inner circle, signaling a major shift in the power dynamics of the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit.
