'Went To London When Kejriwal Was Arrested': Raghav Chadha's Absence From Key Events Fueled Speculation Of Rift

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 12:38 IST

Raghav Chadha, once a trusted aide of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and a key figure in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was dropped from the post of Deputy Leader in RS.

Raghav Chadha, once a trusted aide of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and a prominent figure in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was dropped from the post of Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha.

His recent absence from public events and silence on key issues fueled speculation about his role in the party.

On Thursday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that Ashok Kumar Mittal will be its new deputy leader in the Upper House, replacing Chadha in the role.

Chadha, a Member of Parliament since 2022, actively raised public issues in the House. Recently, he raised a key social issue, demanding that paternity leave be made a legal right in India.

He had also raised the issue of menstrual hygiene in Parliament, stressing that it is a matter of health, education and equality.

Emerging Signs Of Rift

Despite Chadha’s effort to raise key public issues in the Parliament, he appeared sidelined on multiple events linked to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The first signs of a possible rift emerged in March 2024, when AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the excise policy case.

Raghav Chadha was absent at the time, reportedly due to medical reasons.

Even recently, he did not comment after Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and other were discharged in the excise policy case.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring launched a salvo at Chadha, announcing “he’s separate from the party".

“It is now clear that Raghav Chadha is separate from the Aam Aadmi Party. People realised this long ago, when he went to London while Kejriwal was arrested. Public perception now is that Chadha will leave or be removed from the party and join elsewhere", TOI quoted Warring as saying.

News politics 'Went To London When Kejriwal Was Arrested': Raghav Chadha's Absence From Key Events Fueled Speculation Of Rift

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