New Delhi, April 2: The Aam Aadmi Party has appointed Ashok Mittal as its new Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha in a move that signals a reshuffle within the party’s parliamentary leadership.
According to sources, the party has formally communicated the decision to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, requesting necessary steps to recognise Mittal in the new role. The development effectively removes Chadha from the deputy leadership position in the Upper House and brings in a new representative from Punjab.
At present, Sanjay Singh continues as the party’s leader in the Rajya Sabha and also heads its parliamentary party. The latest change alters the leadership structure within the Upper House, where the party currently has ten members.
Sources further indicated that the party has asked the Secretariat not to allocate speaking time to the outgoing deputy leader, marking a clear transition in responsibilities. Chadha had, in recent months, actively raised several public interest issues and matters concerning citizens’ grievances in Parliament.
The shift comes amid reports of strained relations between the party leadership and Chadha, although neither side has made any public statement on the matter. Political discussions have also intensified around the possibility of changes in political alignments ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab, though no official confirmation has been made.
The party’s presence in the Rajya Sabha is largely anchored in Punjab, which remains the only state where it currently holds power. Of the ten MPs in the Upper House, seven represent Punjab, including Chadha, Rajinder Gupta, Mittal, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Harbhajan Singh and Sant Balbir Singh. The remaining three members from Delhi are Swati Maliwal, Narain Dass Gupta and Sanjay Singh.
The leadership adjustment follows earlier internal developments within the party, including tensions involving Maliwal, who had publicly disagreed with the party leadership in the past. Despite the differences, she continues to serve as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
The appointment of Mittal as Deputy Leader marks a significant organisational change in the party’s parliamentary functioning, particularly in the Upper House, where it maintains a substantial presence through its Punjab contingent.
