On Thursday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) removed MP Raghav Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha. This position has been handed over to Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal in his stead. The party conveyed this information to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat through a letter.

The letter stated that no time should be allotted to him to speak on behalf of the party in the House. Raghav has been a Rajya Sabha MP representing Punjab since 2022. His tenure extends until 2028.

The party has not disclosed the reason behind this decision. However, he had distanced himself from the party for a considerable period and had ceased issuing any statements regarding the AAP.

Even on February 27, when Arvind Kejriwal received relief from a lower court in the Delhi liquor policy case, Raghav did not issue any statement. In the Rajya Sabha as well, he had been raising issues such as the plight of gig workers and school fees.

Ashok Mittal is also an AAP Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab. He hails from Jalandhar. He is the Founder and Chancellor of Lovely Professional University in Punjab. He became a Rajya Sabha MP in 2022. Prior to entering politics, he was a successful businessman. His family owns the 'Lovely Group,' which is involved in the automobile and confectionery (Lovely Sweets) sectors.

In the last two parliamentary sessions, Raghav raised issues concerning the common people:

**Winter Session 2025**

**Issue of Gig Workers:** Highlighted the low wages, the 10-minute delivery model, and the lack of social security for delivery partners associated with platforms like Blinkit, Zomato, and Swiggy.
**Digital Content Creators:** Demanded amendments to the Copyright Act, 1957, to protect educators and influencers from adverse algorithms and wrongful 'takedowns.'
**Health Sector:** Advocated for a policy of 'One Nation, One Health Treatment' and expressed concern over the deteriorating state of private hospitals.
**Budget Session 2026**

**Food Adulteration:** Raised the issue of urea and other forms of adulteration in food products in the Rajya Sabha. Affordable Airport Food: To ensure passengers have access to affordable meals at airports, a demand was raised for the establishment of budget-friendly cafes in the departure areas of all 150+ airports.

28-Day Recharge Cycle: Mobile recharge validity periods should cover a full calendar month (30 or 31 days) instead of the current 28-day cycle, with any unused data carrying over to the following month.
Bank Penalties: A proposal was put forward to completely abolish penalties imposed for failing to maintain a minimum account balance.
Joint Income Tax Filing: Married couples should be provided with the option to file their income tax returns jointly.
Paternity Leave: Paternity leave should be established as a statutory right in India.

The political scene in Punjab has heated up following comments made by Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa regarding Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. In this matter, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has demanded an apology from Bajwa within 24 hours, warning of strict action if an apology is not issued. Harpal Singh Cheema made it clear that such offensive remarks will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema raised four points:

ETO rose through hard work

Cheema said that senior Punjab Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Pratap Singh Bajwa, made inappropriate remarks about Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. He said that ETO has set an example through his hard work, rising from poverty. He explained how ETO passed the civil services exam, joined the allied services, became an ETO (Excise and Taxation Officer), and then, wanting to serve society further, resigned from his job and joined the Aam Aadmi Party. He was subsequently elected by the Aam Aadmi Party, given a position of respect by the government, and became a minister.

Dalit Minister targeted by Congress

But today, Pratap Singh Bajwa used very inappropriate language. The Congress party is an anti-Dalit party. All the Dalit ministers are targets of the Congress. Sometimes they say, "The material has arrived," and sometimes they say, "The people from Majha have arrived." The language being used for Dalits is very unfortunate.

Comments made using caste name

Pratap Singh Bajwa and the Congress party should apologize for this statement within 24 hours, or be prepared for action. Because this is a great insult to the Dalit community. It is wrong to discourage those who work hard and rise in Punjab. Making such offensive remarks by naming a particular caste does not befit him. He should immediately apologize to the people of the community.

Insulting Dalits in rallies

Now, Dalits are being insulted in public rallies. Today, there are 95 MLAs in Punjab, many of whom come from humble backgrounds, from poor families. It is wrong to humiliate children from poor families based on their caste.