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AAP Names Ashok Kumar Mittal as New Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader, Replaces Raghav Chadha

The Aam Aadmi Party has appointed Ashok Kumar Mittal as its new Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha. Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab elected in 2022, serves on several key parliamentary committees including Defence and Finance. His predecessor, Raghav Chadha, gained attention for raising significant public issues in Parliament, such as the problem of 'sarpanch pati' and advocating for menstrual hygiene as a matter of public health. Chadha also made headlines for spending a day as a delivery partner to better understand the challenges faced by gig workers.

Key Points: AAP Replaces Raghav Chadha with Ashok Kumar Mittal as RS Deputy Leader

  • Mittal replaces Chadha as AAP's RS Deputy Leader
  • Mittal is a Punjab MP on Defence, Finance committees
  • Chadha raised issues like 'sarpanch pati' & menstrual hygiene
  • Chadha spent a day as a delivery partner to understand gig workers
2 min read

Ashok Kumar Mittal replaces Raghav Chadha as AAP's new Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha

AAP appoints Ashok Kumar Mittal as new Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha. Mittal is a Punjab MP on key parliamentary committees.

"if a girl misses school because there are no sanitary pads, water, and privacy, it is not her personal problem but a collective failure. - Raghav Chadha"

New Delhi, April 2

Ashok Kumar Mittal will be the new Deputy Leader of Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha. The party has sent an official letter informing the decision to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, the party stated on Thursday.

Ashok Kumar Mittal has replaced AAP MP Raghav Chadha as the Deputy Leader in the House.

Mittal is a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab. He was elected to the House in April 2022 and, since then, has been a part of several parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Defence, the Committee on Finance and in February 2026, he was made a member of the India- USA Parliamentary Friendship Group.

He was also a part of an all-party delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, which visited Russia, Latvia, Slovenia, Greece, and Spain after the Pahalgam terror attack last year.

Raghav Chadha has also been an MP since April 2022. He has made headlines on several occasions for raising public issues in Parliament.

Last month, Raghav Chadha raised concerns over the practice of "sarpanch pati" or "panchayat pati," where women elected to reserved Panchayat seats often serve as figureheads while real power is exercised by their male relatives. He urged the government to ensure that women representatives in local bodies can exercise genuine authority as intended under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

He had also raised the issue of menstrual hygiene in Parliament, stating that it is a matter of health, education and equality, which affects over 35 crore women and girls in India. Chadha said if a girl misses school because there are no sanitary pads, water, and privacy, it is not her personal problem but a collective failure. He added that society has turned a biological fact into a social taboo.

Amid the gig workers' agitation earlier this year, he had spent a day as a delivery partner to understand firsthand the pressure and challenges associated with the job.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Mittal's experience in defence and finance committees is solid. With his new role and being part of the India-US group, maybe he can push for more strategic discussions in the House. Good to have someone with that background.
A
Arjun K
Chadha ji did some good ground-level work, like being a delivery partner to understand gig workers. That's the spirit of 'Aam Aadmi'. Let's see what Mittal sahab brings to the table. Wishing him the best! 👍
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, while internal party changes are normal, I hope this isn't sidelining a younger MP who was actively raising crucial, often taboo, issues like menstrual equity. That work is vital for India's progress.
V
Vikram M
Both are capable leaders. Mittal's international exposure with the delegation after Pahalgam is noteworthy. National security and foreign relations are top priority. Hopefully he uses this position effectively.
K
Kavya N
As a woman, I really appreciated Chadha raising the 'sarpanch pati' issue. It's a huge problem in rural India. I hope the new deputy leader also champions such causes for genuine women's representation. 🙏

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