Raghav Chadha Removed as AAP Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader: Ashok Mittal Appointed Amid Speculation of Internal Rift in Aam Aadmi Party

Raghav Chadha Removed as AAP Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader: Ashok Mittal Takes Over in Significant Parliamentary Reshuffle

In a surprising political development that has sent ripples across the Indian political landscape, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has officially removed prominent leader Raghav Chadha from the position of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha. The party has appointed Punjab MP Ashok Mittal, founder of Lovely Professional University, as the new deputy leader. This leadership change, communicated formally to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat on April 2, 2026, has triggered intense speculation about internal dynamics within the AAP, especially ahead of key electoral battles.

The move comes at a time when Raghav Chadha, once considered one of Arvind Kejriwal’s closest aides and a star face of the party in Parliament, has been in the news for his sharp parliamentary interventions. However, questions had been mounting regarding his role and visibility in recent party activities. This development marks a notable shift in AAP’s upper house strategy and has ignited debates on party discipline, organisational balance, and future power equations in Punjab and national politics.

Background of the Leadership Change in AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party, known for its aggressive anti-corruption stance and people-centric governance model in Delhi and Punjab, maintains a structured parliamentary presence. Raghav Chadha had been serving as the Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha since 2023. His tenure was marked by high-profile speeches on issues affecting the common man, including economic policies, education, and governance reforms.

According to party sources, AAP has sent an official letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat informing them of the change. The communication not only proposes Ashok Mittal as the new Deputy Leader but also reportedly requests that Raghav Chadha should not be allotted speaking time from the party’s quota in the House going forward. This additional directive has added fuel to rumours of a possible rift.

Political observers note that such changes in parliamentary leadership are not uncommon in parties aiming to refresh their approach. However, the timing and the manner of execution have drawn significant attention, particularly because Raghav Chadha remains a sitting Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab and continues to hold membership in the Upper House.

Who is Ashok Mittal? The New Face of AAP in Rajya Sabha Leadership

Ashok Mittal, also referred to as Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, brings a unique blend of academic, entrepreneurial, and now political experience to the role. He is the founder and Chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab — one of India’s largest private universities with a massive campus and students from across the country and abroad.

Mittal entered active politics in 2022 when AAP nominated him to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab. Since then, he has been involved in various parliamentary committees, including those related to defence and finance. His background in education and industry is seen by many as an asset for AAP, which often highlights issues like quality education, skill development, and economic opportunities for youth.

Party insiders describe the appointment as part of a “regular process” to maintain organisational balance, particularly with a focus on Punjab’s political landscape. Ashok Mittal is expected to strengthen coordination on legislative matters and represent AAP’s positions effectively during Rajya Sabha sessions.

In his first reaction after the appointment, Ashok Mittal addressed the media and downplayed speculations of any internal conflict. He stated that the decision was taken democratically and as per the party’s norms. He thanked AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for the responsibility and emphasised that AAP remains a democratic organisation where such transitions occur naturally.

Why Was Raghav Chadha Removed? Analysing the Speculations

Raghav Chadha rose rapidly within AAP ranks. From being a key strategist and spokesperson to becoming a vocal parliamentarian, he was once viewed as a trusted lieutenant of Arvind Kejriwal. His interventions in the Rajya Sabha on topics like middle-class taxation, data privacy, paternity leave, banking charges, food adulteration, air pollution, and paper leaks earned him widespread attention and a strong social media following.

However, in recent months, Chadha’s absence from several important party events and his relatively low profile on certain internal matters reportedly raised eyebrows within the party. Earlier, his name was also reportedly dropped from AAP’s list of star campaigners, adding to the speculation.

Analysts suggest multiple factors could be at play:

Organisational Rebalancing: With Punjab Assembly elections approaching in 2027, AAP may be looking to consolidate its base by giving more visibility to leaders with strong local roots and institutional backgrounds like Ashok Mittal.
Parliamentary Strategy: The party might want a fresh approach in coordinating legislative business in the Rajya Sabha to counter opposition narratives more effectively.
Internal Discipline and Alignment: Questions about Chadha’s alignment with the current party direction, including his silence on some key developments, have been discussed in political circles.

Importantly, no formal statement has come from Raghav Chadha or the top AAP leadership explaining the exact reasons. The party has maintained that this is a routine internal adjustment.

Raghav Chadha’s Cryptic Social Media Response

Hours after the news broke, Raghav Chadha took to social media (X, formerly Twitter) with a subtle yet intriguing post. Without any accompanying text, he shared a compiled video of his key Rajya Sabha speeches — lasting about 2 minutes 45 seconds — and added only an ‘evil eye’ emoji (🧿), commonly used in Indian culture to ward off the evil eye or negative energy.

The video showcases Chadha raising critical public issues such as:

Heavy tax burden on the middle class
Problems related to data expiry
Paternity leave policies
Fines for minimum bank balance
Food adulteration
Charges on incoming calls
Issues with 28-day recharge plans
Excessive lottery fees
Paper leak scandals in examinations
Air pollution concerns

This post has gone viral and sparked further discussions. Many interpreted the emoji as a symbolic message amid the unfolding events, while supporters praised Chadha for highlighting people-centric issues regardless of his current party position.

Reactions from Political Opponents and Analysts

The development has invited sharp reactions from opposition parties, particularly the BJP. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva commented that while AAP has the right to appoint its parliamentary leaders, the decision to sideline Raghav Chadha and restrict his speaking time indicates deeper issues.

Sachdeva claimed that leaders like Swati Maliwal and now Raghav Chadha appear to be distancing themselves from what he described as “Kejriwal’s chaotic and corrupt leadership.” He suggested this reflects growing internal dissatisfaction within AAP.

Political analysts believe the move could be part of AAP’s preparation for future challenges. With the party governing Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and facing electoral tests ahead, strengthening parliamentary presence with new faces may be a strategic step. Some view it as an attempt to project organisational strength and unity while addressing any perceived indiscipline.

Others argue that such changes are common in dynamic political parties and should not be over-read as a major rift. AAP has often emphasised collective leadership over individual dominance.

Implications for AAP, Punjab Politics, and National Scenario

This reshuffle holds significance on multiple fronts:

Punjab Focus: Both Raghav Chadha and Ashok Mittal hail from Punjab constituencies in the Rajya Sabha. The state remains AAP’s stronghold outside Delhi, and any leadership tweak is closely watched for its impact on state-level mobilisation.
Parliamentary Effectiveness: In the Rajya Sabha, where numbers matter for debate and legislation, having a cohesive leadership team is crucial. Ashok Mittal’s experience in education and industry could bring fresh perspectives on policy matters.
Image Management: AAP has built its brand on transparency and anti-establishment politics. Any perception of internal discord needs careful handling to maintain public trust.
Future of Key Leaders: Raghav Chadha continues as an MP and may still contribute through other forums. His future role within the party remains a subject of curiosity.

The episode has also renewed discussions about generational shifts and power distribution in newer political outfits like AAP, which rose on the promise of alternative politics but now navigates the complexities of governance and internal management.

What Lies Ahead?

As of now, neither Raghav Chadha nor senior AAP leaders like Arvind Kejriwal have issued detailed official comments on the development. The focus remains on how effectively the new leadership structure performs in upcoming parliamentary sessions.

For Raghav Chadha supporters, his track record of raising citizen-centric issues continues to resonate. For the party, the emphasis is on unity and forward movement.

This story is developing, and further clarity may emerge in the coming days as more reactions surface and the new deputy leader assumes responsibilities.

In the broader context of Indian politics in 2026, such internal adjustments highlight the fluid nature of alliances, loyalties, and strategies. Whether this signals a minor recalibration or something deeper will only become clearer with time.