New Delhi | April 02, 2026 — Just hours after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stripped him of his role as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, MP Raghav Chadha released his first public response. Rather than addressing the internal party friction or his sudden change in status, Chadha took to X (formerly Twitter) to pivot the conversation back to his legislative track record.
The Response: Silence on Politics, Loud on Policy
Chadha’s video message was a curated montage of his recent speeches in the Upper House. Notably, the video made no mention of Arvind Kejriwal, the party leadership, or his removal from the post. Instead, it highlighted his advocacy for “common man” issues, including:
-
Telecom Reforms: Calling for 30-day mobile recharge cycles and the carry-forward of unused data.
-
Gig Economy: Raising concerns over the “10-minute delivery” model and the lack of social security for Blinkit, Zomato, and Swiggy partners.
-
Banking & Tax: Proposing the abolition of minimum balance penalties and introducing joint income tax filing for married couples.
-
Travel & Health: Advocating for affordable food at airports and a “One Nation, One Health Treatment” policy.
The Shift in Power Dynamics
The AAP leadership has formally notified the Rajya Sabha Secretariat of the change, replacing Chadha with Ashok Mittal, a Punjab MP and the chancellor of Lovely Professional University.
Current AAP Rajya Sabha Leadership: | Position | Leader | | :— | :— | | Leader of the House | Sanjay Singh | | Deputy Leader | Ashok Mittal (Replacing Raghav Chadha) |
While the party framed the move as a routine democratic rotation, political observers view it as a significant demotion for Chadha, who has been a core member of Kejriwal’s inner circle since the party’s inception in 2012.
Why the Demotion?
While AAP has not issued an official reason, several factors have fueled speculation in the corridors of power:
-
Prolonged Absence: Chadha’s perceived distance from key party activities in recent months.
-
Strategic Silence: His lack of public commentary following the recent clean chits given to Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.
-
Party Friction: Reports of shifting internal loyalties as the party manages its position as the fourth-largest group in the Rajya Sabha with 10 seats.
“Our party is a democratic party and allows every leader to learn the ropes,” said Ashok Mittal in a statement to NDTV, downplaying the tension.
The Road Ahead
At 37, Raghav Chadha remains one of the youngest and most recognizable faces of the AAP. However, the party’s decision to ask the Secretariat to restrict his speaking time marks a sharp departure from his previous role as a primary national spokesperson. For now, Chadha appears to be leaning into his identity as a policy-focused lawmaker, using digital platforms to bypass party gatekeeping.
