New Delhi: Raghav Chadha, once seen as one of the most influential and recognisable young faces in Indian politics, especially in Punjab, has now been removed as deputy leader in Rajya Sabha by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Chadha’s journey in politics began at a very young age, at just 24. Chadha was tasked with representing the fledgling party on national television in 2013, just a few months after his induction.
When AAP was trying to make inroads in Punjab, Chadha emerged as the man-in-charge for the party in the Assembly Election in 2022. The young leader was also touted as the de facto chief minister of the state, but with Bhagwant Mann taking the helm post victory, Chadha’s contribution went awry, and he was termed a compromised leader of the party.
Raghav Chadha’s deep influence in Punjab
Chadha’s deep influence in Punjab earned him an elevation to the Rajya Sabha, and he shot to fame as AAP’s national face after the party’s historic win in 2022. Chadha’s hard work paid off with him getting a posh bungalow in Sector 2 of Chandigarh, close to the CM’s official residence.
Initially, the AAP MP was part of the party’s day-to-day political work, including holding meetings with bureaucrats and other state officials. Chadha eventually had the final authority over administrative work, including the transfer of IAS and IPS officers, Indian Express reported.
Back then, opposition would often take a dig at him by calling him an ‘extra-constitutional body’ in Punjab. An internal criticism also grew within the party after Chadha started chairing important governance meetings with bureaucrats.
Later, Chadha was named the chairman of a temporary advisory committee, which was set up by the Punjab government in 2022 to look into public-centric issues. Opposition called Chadha the de facto adviser to the AAP government.
Most of the bureaucrats would often visit Chadha’s residence, and he would chair meetings with them in the absence of CM Mann.
Former spokesperson of AAP, Iqbal Singh, had earlier said that AAP wanted to make Chadha a “super CM” by appointing him chairman of the advisory committee.
What went wrong for Raghav Chadha?
Everything was going well, and Chadha’s stature was growing day by day in the state as well as in the party. But the Lok Sabha 2024 elections changed the dynamics between the AAP and Chadha.
Kejriwal was arrested before the Lok Sabha elections in an excise scam, and at the same time, Chadha went to the UK for eye surgery and remained silent on the arrest of the former Delhi chief minister and other senior AAP leaders.
Chadha returned in May 2024 and remained absent from the party campaign for the Lok Sabha elections and held just a few rallies in Punjab. With AAP’s dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections and the Delhi Assembly elections in 2025, Chadha also lost his influence. He was also replaced by Manish Sisodia as in charge of AAP affairs in March 2025.
The decision-making power was shifted to Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, and in late 2025, Chadha was forced to vacate his Chandigarh residence. However, Chadha visited Punjab during the floods last year.
Over the last two years, Chadha’s prolonged absence from Punjab became a recurring talking point and was also seen as one of the reasons for his fall in the state.