Aam Aadmi Party Moves to Remove Raghav Chadha as Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken a significant step in its parliamentary strategy by formally writing to the Rajya Sabha secretariat to seek the removal of Raghav Chadha as the party's deputy leader in the House. According to reports from news agency PTI, this communication marks a notable shift in the party's leadership dynamics within the upper house of Parliament.
Formal Request to Cease Speaking Time Allocation
In its official correspondence, the AAP has not only requested Chadha's removal from the deputy leader position but has also asked that he no longer be allotted speaking time in the Rajya Sabha from the party's quota. This move suggests a comprehensive restructuring of AAP's parliamentary representation and could impact the party's voice in legislative debates.
Ashok Kumar Mittal Emerges as Likely Successor
Party sources have revealed that Ashok Kumar Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, is likely to be appointed as Chadha's replacement. Mittal brings a unique profile to the position, having been elected to the House in April 2022 and actively participating in several key parliamentary committees since then.
His committee assignments include:
- The Committee on Defence
- The Committee on Finance
- Membership in the India-USA Parliamentary Friendship Group (as of February 2026)
Mittal also demonstrated international engagement by being part of an all-party delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, that visited multiple countries including Russia, Latvia, Slovenia, Greece, and Spain following the Pahalgam terror attack last year.
Mittal's Background and Political Journey
Ashok Kumar Mittal is widely recognized as the founder of the Phagwara-based Lovely Professional University (LPU), which holds the distinction of being Punjab's first private university and one of the largest educational institutions in India. The AAP describes him as a noted academician and social activist who entered active politics in the same year he was elected to Parliament—2022.
AAP's Current Rajya Sabha Composition
The Aam Aadmi Party currently maintains a presence of 10 members in the Rajya Sabha, with this delegation comprising seven representatives from Punjab and three from Delhi. This distribution reflects the party's regional strongholds and its ongoing efforts to expand its national footprint through parliamentary participation.
The potential leadership change comes at a time when the party is navigating various political challenges and opportunities, making Mittal's appointment particularly significant for AAP's future legislative strategy and internal cohesion.
