AAP Removes Raghav Chadha as Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Names Ashok Mittal As Replacement

No Official Reason for Change

This move of the day made a lot of noise and raised questions about Chadha's future who has been part of AAP's top leadership and closely associated with Kejriwal. Officially, AAP has not given any reason for what appears to be Chadha's demotion, but the whispers regarding his position within the party have been going around for quite some time. 

In fact, Chadha not only was missing from various party functions but also when the issue of giving a clean chit to Kejriwal and AAP leader Manish Sisodia came up, he kept quiet which led to speculations in the corridors of power. On the other hand, he has been highlighting major problems in the Rajya Sabha like sky-high food prices at airports, rights of gig workers, and traffic jams in big cities.

Mittal: Routine Shift, Ready to Lead

Mittal said that the party's national convener has given him the responsibility of AAP's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, and he will perform his work sincerely and show both party's viewpoint and national issues strongly.
He downplayed the change, calling it a usual event and also highlighted that in past N.D. Gupta was the party deputy leader in the Upper House, then the responsibility was given to Mr. Chadha.

Chadha's Rise from Spokesperson to MP

Raghav Chadha, who is Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab. He started out working with Arvind Kejriwal on the Delhi Lokpal Bill in 2012. He made progress in the party, and became national spokesperson and later youngest treasurer of the party after 2015 Delhi polls when AAP won the elections.
In 2022, Chadha became the youngest Rajya Sabha MP at 33 and since then he has been a major figure in AAP's parliamentary and organisational workings. In 2023, AAP announced him as its leader in Rajya Sabha, replacing Sanjay Singh.