AAP removes Raghav Chadha as Rajya Sabha deputy leader
Party writes to Rajya Sabha secretariat, proposes Ashok Mittal as new deputy leader and bars Chadha from speaking time in the House
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has written to the Rajya Sabha secretariat seeking the removal of Raghav Chadha as the party’s deputy leader in the Upper House.
According to a PTI report quoting sources on Thursday (April 2), Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal from Punjab is expected to replace Chadha as the deputy leader.
The AAP, in its letter, further stated that Chadha, who is an MP from Punjab, should not be allotted time for speaking in the House from its quota. Currently, the APP has 10 members in the Rajya Sabha, including seven from Punjab and three from Delhi.
Silence fuels speculation
The development comes amid speculation regarding Chadha’s declining relationship with the party, which has been fuelled by his continued silence on key developments regarding the AAP and its top leaders.
Also Read: Exclusive | Gig workers not robots, exploitation should stop: MP Raghav Chadha
It raised a lot of eyebrows in the party when Chadha did not issue any statement after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and others were acquitted of all charges in the excise policy case in February, reported India Today.
The Rajya Sabha MP also did not post any statement on social media, fuelling speculations of his rift with the AAP.
Chadha also skipped a key press conference addressed by Kejriwal at the party office and a 'jan sabha' at Jantar Mantar, from where the former Delhi Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on the BJP government.
Background and roles
A chartered accountant by profession, Chadha has been associated with the AAP since its formation in 2012 and is widely seen as a close aide of Kejriwal. Over the years, he has held key organisational roles, including serving as the party’s national treasurer and being part of its Political Affairs Committee, which is its top decision-making body. He has also been involved in coordination efforts within the opposition’s INDIA bloc.
Also Read: Kejriwal will vote for Cong, Rahul will vote for AAP: Chadha in first poll meeting after surgery
Chadha was elevated to the Rajya Sabha during his tenure as a Delhi MLA, making him one of the youngest members in the Upper House. He has previously served as vice chairman of the Delhi Jal Board and worked as an advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. At present, he is handling responsibilities as the party’s Punjab co-incharge.
Earlier instance
This is not the first instance where Chadha’s position within the party has drawn attention.
Earlier, when Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the liquor policy case ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Punjab MP had attributed his delayed reaction to recovery from an eye surgery in the UK.