AAP replaces Raghav Chadha as RS deputy leader

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has appointed Ashok Mittal as its new deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha.

The party has formally communicated the decision to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat through an official letter, marking a significant internal reshuffle in its parliamentary leadership.

Leadership change communicated to Secretariat

According to sources, the letter sent by AAP not only informed authorities about the leadership change but also stated that Raghav Chadha should no longer be allotted speaking time in the House from the party’s quota.

While the party has not publicly elaborated on the reasons behind the move, the development signals a strategic shift in AAP’s parliamentary representation.

AAP’s strength in Rajya Sabha

The Aam Aadmi Party currently has 10 members in the Rajya Sabha. Of these, seven MPs are from Punjab, while three represent Delhi.

The leadership change comes at a time when the party is actively engaging in debates on key national and economic issues in Parliament.

Chadha’s recent remarks on stock market volatility

Raghav Chadha had recently raised concerns over the impact of global developments on India’s financial markets. Speaking during a discussion on the Appropriation Bill, he highlighted a sharp erosion of nearly ₹48 lakh crore in investor wealth since the escalation of the West Asia conflict.

He described the situation as a “Black Swan event”, noting that the crisis was sudden, external, and unrelated to India’s core economic fundamentals.

Chadha emphasised that although the conflict in West Asia is not directly linked to India, its ripple effects have significantly impacted global financial markets, including India.

Call for relief to investors

During his address, Chadha urged the government to consider relief measures for retail investors affected by market volatility. He pointed out that uncertainty in global markets has led to heightened fluctuations, impacting investor confidence.

His remarks reflected broader concerns within political and economic circles regarding the indirect consequences of geopolitical tensions on domestic financial stability.

Conclusion

The replacement of Raghav Chadha with Ashok Mittal as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha marks an important organisational decision for the party. While the reasons remain undisclosed, the move is likely to influence AAP’s parliamentary strategy in the coming sessions.

At the same time, Chadha’s recent interventions on economic issues indicate that he will continue to remain an active voice in national debates, even outside a formal leadership role.