The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has replaced Raghav Chadha as its Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, appointing MP Ashok Mittal to the position, reported News18. The move comes as part of leadership adjustments in the Upper House ahead of upcoming Parliamentary sessions.
The party has submitted an official communication to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat informing it about the change. In the same letter, AAP also reportedly requested that Raghav Chadha should not be allocated time to speak in Parliament, signalling a shift in floor coordination responsibilities.
Leadership change in Upper House
The reshuffle marks a notable change in AAP's Parliamentary strategy in the Rajya Sabha. Ashok Mittal will now take over as Deputy Leader, a role that involves coordinating with party MPs and representing the party's position during debates.
The development is being viewed as an internal organisational adjustment within the party's Parliamentary wing. The change comes ahead of key legislative discussions expected in the coming sessions.
Chadha's recent policy advocacy
Raghav Chadha had recently drawn attention for advocating that paternity leave be made a legal right in India. He argued that caregiving responsibilities should be shared between both parents and highlighted the need for policy changes reflecting modern parenting dynamics.
He had emphasised that laws should enable equal participation of both parents in early childcare. The remarks had sparked discussion around workplace policies and parental leave frameworks.
37-year-old Raghav Chadha has been associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) since its early days. An alumnus of Delhi’s Modern School and a chartered accountant by profession, Chadha entered politics during the final phase of the India Against Corruption movement. He joined Arvind Kejriwal and others when discussions were underway about forming a political party. Then 23, Chadha came on board as AAP was formed, and his first political task was to draft the Delhi Lokpal Bill.
Rise within the party
Chadha soon became one of AAP’s prominent public faces as national spokesperson, regularly appearing in television debates. At the age of 26, he was appointed the party’s national treasurer. His organisational responsibilities expanded over time as he took on key roles within the party.
In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, Chadha was elected from the Rajinder Nagar constituency. Following his victory, he was appointed vice-chairman of the Delhi Jal Board. Two years later, in 2022, he was nominated by AAP to the Rajya Sabha.
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While AAP has not officially clarified recent developments around his role, discussions about his position in the party have been circulating for months. According to Myneta, Chadha has declared assets worth Rs 36,99,471. Media reports state that he owns a house valued at around Rs 36 lakh and drives a Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire. He also holds gold worth Rs 4.94 lakh and bonds and shares valued at Rs 6 lakh, taking his estimated net worth to around Rs 50 lakh.
Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra is married to Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha. The two met at an award show in London, and their relationship developed thereafter. The couple tied the knot in September 2023.
