The political drama surrounding Raghav Chadha’s removal as the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha has taken a personal turn. On April 3, 2026, actor Parineeti Chopra publicly backed her husband after he was replaced by Ashok Mittal, amid reports of a growing rift with the party’s top leadership.
A Defiant “Highlight Reel”
In his first response to the demotion, Chadha posted a video montage on Instagram and X, showcasing his most viral parliamentary interventions. The video, captioned with a “silenced, not defeated” message, featured a “greatest hits” of common-man issues:
-
Financial Protections: Proposing the abolition of minimum balance penalties and GST on health insurance.
-
Digital Rights: Campaigning against the 28-day recharge cycle and data privacy leaks.
-
Modern Parenting: Advocating for legal paternity leave—a cause close to the couple following the birth of their son, Neer, in October 2025.
-
Infrastructure & Safety: Highlighting toll plaza “looting,” food adulteration, and the exploitation of gig workers.
Parineeti’s Support: “Not Just Policy, But Parenting”
Parineeti Chopra re-shared the reel on her Instagram stories to show solidarity. She had previously praised Chadha’s speech on paternity leave, noting that he spoke not just as an MP but as a father who believes “parenting is shared, not assigned.”
Her vocal support comes at a time when AAP leaders like Saurabh Bharadwaj have dismissed these very topics as “soft PR” and “talking about samosas,” demanding instead that Chadha use his time to “look the BJP in the eye” on harder political issues.
The Timeline of a Rift
The replacement of Chadha—once considered Arvind Kejriwal’s “right-hand man”—has been building for months:
| Event | Date | Context |
| Pahalgam Crisis | April 2025 | Chadha was largely absent from the frontline during national security debates. |
| Kejriwal’s Release | Late 2025 | Speculation grew as Chadha remained silent during major party celebrations. |
| The Demotion | April 2, 2026 | AAP officially moves to replace Chadha with Ashok Mittal. |
| The Public Spat | April 3, 2026 | Saurabh Bharadwaj tells Chadha to “stop the soft PR” and question the PM. |
What’s Next for the “Power Couple”?
While Chadha’s political future within AAP looks uncertain, his focus remains on the 2027 Punjab elections, where Ashok Mittal claims Chadha will still play a role. On the professional front:
-
Raghav Chadha: Continues as a Rajya Sabha MP, though without the “Deputy Leader” title.
-
Parineeti Chopra: Following the success of Amar Singh Chamkila, she is preparing for her Netflix debut in the show “Talaash: A Mother’s Search.”
