The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday initiated a key leadership change in the Rajya Sabha, formally requesting the Secretariat to replace Raghav Chadha as the party’s Deputy Leader in the Upper House. In his place, the party has proposed Ashok Kumar Mittal for the role, signalling a reshuffle within its parliamentary leadership ahead of upcoming sessions.
In an official statement, AAP confirmed that a letter has been sent to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat endorsing Mittal’s appointment. While the party has described the move as procedural, the timing has drawn attention, with observers viewing it as part of broader internal adjustments within the party’s legislative strategy.
The change comes at a time when AAP is preparing for crucial parliamentary engagements. With 10 members in the Rajya Sabha—seven from Punjab and three from Delhi—the party has steadily expanded its footprint in the Upper House. Leadership roles such as Deputy Leader are central to coordinating floor strategy, managing debates, and representing the party’s stance on national issues.
Ashok Kumar Mittal downplayed speculation around the development, calling it a “routine process.” He noted that prior to him, ND Gupta had held the position. Addressing rumours about a possible shift in loyalties by Chadha, Mittal dismissed such claims, reiterating that the change should not be seen through a political lens.
A prominent face of AAP, Raghav Chadha has played a significant role in shaping the party’s national narrative. A chartered accountant by profession, he has been associated with the party since its inception in 2012 and is widely regarded as a close aide of party chief Arvind Kejriwal.
Chadha has held several key positions within the party, including serving as its national treasurer and being a member of the Political Affairs Committee, AAP’s highest decision-making body. He also gained prominence as one of the youngest members of the Rajya Sabha after being elevated from his tenure as a Delhi MLA.
In recent months, Chadha has drawn attention for his parliamentary interventions, particularly his advocacy for making paternity leave a legal right in India. He has consistently argued for shared caregiving responsibilities and emphasized the need for laws that reflect evolving family dynamics. Beyond politics, Chadha has also been in the public eye for personal milestones, including the birth of his child with actor Parineeti Chopra.
While the party maintains that the leadership change is routine, it underscores AAP’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate its parliamentary strategy. As the next session approaches, the appointment of Ashok Kumar Mittal as Deputy Leader may shape how the party navigates legislative debates and positions itself on key national issues.
Whether this move reflects deeper strategic shifts or remains a procedural update will likely become clearer in the weeks to come, as AAP’s parliamentary leadership settles into its revised roles.
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