AAP Replaces Raghav Chadha with Ashok Mittal as Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has implemented a significant change in its parliamentary leadership by removing MP Raghav Chadha from the position of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha. In his place, the party has appointed Ashok Mittal, a Member of Parliament from Punjab, to the post. According to official reports, the party has communicated this decision to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat through a formal letter. The communication explicitly states that Raghav Chadha should no longer be allocated time to speak on behalf of the party during House proceedings. Chadha has been representing Punjab in the Rajya Sabha since 2022, with his current term set to conclude in 2028.

Appointment of Ashok Mittal and Professional Background

Ashok Mittal, who succeeds Raghav Chadha, is also an AAP Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab. Based in Jalandhar, Mittal is a prominent figure in the education and business sectors. He's the founder and Chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU). Before entering active politics in 2022, Mittal established himself as a successful businessman. His family owns the 'Lovely Group,' a conglomerate with interests in the automobile industry and the well-known 'Lovely Sweets' business. His appointment as Deputy Leader marks a strategic shift in the party's representation within the upper house of Parliament.

Context of the Decision and Chadha's Recent Stance

While the Aam Aadmi Party has not officially cited a specific reason for this leadership change, the move follows a period of perceived distance between Raghav Chadha and the party's core activities. Observers have noted Chadha's relative silence on key political developments involving the party, while notably, he didn't issue any statement when a lower court granted relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case on February 27. The party's request to the Secretariat to restrict his speaking time as a party representative further underscores a shift in his internal standing.

Issues Raised in Winter Session 2025

During the Winter Session of 2025, Raghav Chadha had been active in raising issues related to the digital economy and labor rights. He highlighted the plight of gig workers associated with platforms like Blinkit, Zomato, and Swiggy, focusing on low wages, the risks of the 10-minute delivery model, and the lack of social security benefits. ' In the healthcare sector, he proposed the 'One Nation, One Health Treatment' model to address disparities in private medical care.

Legislative Contributions in Budget Session 2026

In the Budget Session of 2026, Chadha focused on consumer rights and financial reforms. He proposed that mobile recharge cycles be standardized to a full calendar month of 30 or 31 days instead of the current 28-day cycle, along with the rollover of unused data. He also moved a proposal to completely abolish penalties imposed by banks for failing to maintain a minimum balance. Other notable suggestions included the establishment of affordable cafes at over 150 airports, the introduction of joint income tax filing for married couples, and the legal recognition of paternity leave as a statutory right in India.