In a significant political development, the Aam Aadmi Party has removed Raghav Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing him with Ashok Mittal.
The party has formally informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat of its decision and has also requested that Chadha should not be allotted time to speak in Parliament.
Signs of Internal Differences
The move has sparked speculation about internal tensions within the party. In recent months, Chadha has maintained a relatively low profile in core party matters, especially following AAP’s defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections in 2025.
Instead, he has focused on broader public issues such as paid paternity leave, rising airport food prices, the rights of gig workers, and urban traffic concerns. His limited engagement with party-specific agendas had already triggered rumours of a possible rift.
Absence from Key Political Activities
Chadha’s absence from the party’s list of star campaigners for Assam elections further fuelled speculation about his standing within the organisation. Additionally, he remained silent on key developments involving senior party leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, in the excise policy-related case.
While the party has not officially stated the reason for his removal, reports suggest that issues related to discipline and deviation from the party line may have contributed to the decision.
Chadha’s Recent Advocacy
Despite the developments, Chadha has remained active in raising policy issues in Parliament. Recently, he advocated for making paid paternity leave a legal right in India, arguing that childcare responsibilities should be shared equally between parents.
He highlighted that fathers often face the dilemma of choosing between their professional responsibilities and supporting their families during childbirth, calling for reforms in labour policies.