In a significant political development on April 2, 2026, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formally removed Raghav Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s Parliament. The party has named Ashok Mittal, a fellow MP from Punjab and chancellor of Lovely Professional University, as his replacement signaling a shift in the party’s parliamentary strategy and stirring political debate.

AAP officially informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat of the change, and the secretariat updated the leadership roster accordingly. Party sources indicate that the decision also includes a directive that Chadha should not be allocated speaking time from AAP’s quota in the House, a move that underscores the firm nature of the shift.

Who Is Raghav Chadha and His Role in AAP?

Raghav Chadha is a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and a Rajya Sabha MP representing Punjab. Born in 1988, he has been part of AAP since its early days and rose to prominence as one of its key strategists and parliamentary faces. Prior to his current role, Chadha served in the Delhi Legislative Assembly and was vice‑chairman of the Delhi Jal Board.

His removal comes at a time of heightened attention on internal party dynamics, particularly as speculation grows over his recent silence on major party developments and his distance from key leadership issues.

Why AAP Removed Him: Party Signals and Speculation

Officially, the Aam Aadmi Party has not given a detailed explanation for this leadership change. However, political analysts and media reports suggest a few key factors behind the decision:

  • Party sources say Chadha’s relatively low visibility on critical party matters such as responses to leadership arrests and major political battles has played a role.
  • Speculation about internal distances between Chadha and AAP’s top leadership has been circulating among political observers.
  • Replacing him with Ashok Mittal, an experienced MP and educational leader, points to AAP’s desire for a different style of parliamentary leadership.

Despite these undercurrents, AAP leaders continue to emphasize that the party is united and that leadership changes are part of the party’s normal internal process.

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Raghav Chadha’s Reaction and Public Response

In a rare public statement after the decision, Raghav Chadha shared a video message on social media saying he has been “silenced, not defeated.” In the message, he reaffirmed his commitment to raising public issues such as middle‑class burden, gig worker rights, and other citizen concerns, questioning why speaking up is treated adversely.

Meanwhile, parineeti chopra, his wife and Bollywood actor, reportedly reacted positively to his social media video, drawing attention from fans and the wider public.

Ashok Mittal Takes Over: Who Is He?

Ashok Mittal, who has now been appointed AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, is a politician and academic figure known for founding Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab. AAP nominated him for the Rajya Sabha in 2022, and he has since served on parliamentary committees and helped shape several legislative discussions.

Mittal’s appointment is seen as an indication that AAP wants fresh leadership in the Upper House at a time when the party is navigating national and state‑level political battles.

What This Means for AAP’s Future

The removal of Raghav Chadha and his replacement with Ashok Mittal signals a notable internal shift within the Aam Aadmi Party. Political analysts say the timing just ahead of key elections, especially in Punjab suggests strategic recalibration in how the party presents itself in Parliament.

Whether this change will lead to broader leadership changes or affect AAP’s position in national politics remains a subject of political interest and public discussion.