Sipu Jha
NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party has replaced Raghav Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, naming Ashok Mittal for the role and asking the Upper House not to allot Chadha speaking time from the party’s quota. The move signals a shift in the party’s parliamentary strategy, with Mittal now set to take over a key coordination role in the Upper House.Chadha, until recently one of AAP’s most visible faces in Parliament, is no longer part of the party’s official speaking lineup.A spree of issues in ParliamentThe development comes even as Chadha had been actively raising a range of public-interest issues in recent weeks.In one of his recent interventions, he flagged the practice of “sarpanch pati” or “panchayat pati,” where women elected to reserved local body seats often remain figureheads while real authority is exercised by male relatives. He called for stricter implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment to ensure women representatives can function independently.
He also raised concerns over menstrual hygiene, calling it a matter of health, education, and equality affecting over 35 crore women and girls. Chadha argued that when girls miss school due to lack of access to sanitary products, water, and privacy, it reflects a systemic failure, while also criticising the stigma around menstruation.Pushing new conversationsChadha had also pushed for paternity leave to be recognised as a legal right, highlighting how caregiving responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women.Earlier this year, amid protests by gig workers, he spent a day working as a delivery partner to understand the pressures and challenges associated with the job—an experience he later referenced in Parliament.Chadha has also brought attention to everyday consumer and urban issues:
- Misleading food branding: He called out major food brands for marketing sugary drinks as “fruit juice,” accusing them of hiding disclaimers like “pictures for marketing purposes only” in fine print. He warned that such practices contribute to rising diabetes and lifestyle diseases, especially among children.
- Mobile data expiry: Questioning telecom policies, he highlighted how unused prepaid data lapses without refund or rollover. He demanded consumer-friendly reforms such as data rollover, adjustment against future recharges, and data-sharing options.
- Urban traffic crisis: Raising concerns about congestion in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, he noted that commuters spend 100–168 hours annually stuck in traffic. He proposed a National Urban Decongestion Mission focusing on public transport, traffic management, and scientific parking policies.
From Parliament to InstagramAlongside his legislative interventions, Chadha has sharply scaled up his social media presence—especially on Instagram, where he now has 12.3 million followers, and on Twitter (X), where he has 990.1K followers.His content largely features speech clips, issue-based explainer videos, and personal updates. Many posts focus on relatable, everyday concerns—consumer rights, urban frustrations, and social issues—often presented in a direct, conversational tone.Notably, his comment sections are typically filled with praise and high engagement, with followers appreciating his focus on day-to-day problems that resonate with ordinary citizens, from rising living costs to public infrastructure gaps. This growing digital connect has helped him build a strong individual voice, sometimes distinct from the party’s broader messaging.A fast rise within AAPChadha has been associated with AAP since its early days, working alongside Arvind Kejriwal during the Delhi Lokpal movement. He rose quickly within the party ranks—becoming a national spokesperson, its youngest treasurer, and later a key parliamentary face.In 2022, he entered the Rajya Sabha as one of its youngest MPs and has since remained active in debates and policy discussions.A shift in rolesThe party’s latest move marks a change in its parliamentary lineup, even as Chadha’s recent interventions and growing individual visibility had kept him in focus.(With agency inputs)
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