The Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998

On April 2, 2026, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) officially informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that they were removing Raghav Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader of the party in the Upper House. He has been replaced by Ashok Mittal, a fellow MP from Punjab.

Why has he been removed?

The removal is significant because of the following reasons being discussed in the media:

• Official Reason: The party (specifically Ashok Mittal) has termed it a “routine organizational process” aimed at rotating responsibilities and giving different members experience in parliamentary management.
• Internal Dynamics: Reports suggest a growing rift between Chadha and the party’s top brass. Observers have noted his prolonged silence and absence from major party events, including the recent high-profile acquittal of senior leaders in the Delhi excise policy case.
• Speaking Time Restriction: In a notable move, the party’s letter to the Secretariat reportedly requested that Chadha not be allocated speaking time from AAP’s quota in the House, indicating a formal sidelining.

Constitutional & Legal Context :

As discussed previously, the position of Deputy Leader is not a direct “Constitutional Office” like the Chairman or Deputy Chairman (under Articles 89-92). Instead, it is a Statutory and Rules-based role.

1. Party Autonomy (The Rule): Under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business (Rajya Sabha) and the 1998 Facilities Act, a political party has the autonomy to decide its leaders and floor managers. The Chairman generally accepts these nominations as a matter of parliamentary convention.
2. The “Exception” to Automatic Recognition: While the party nominates, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha must officially recognize the change. If there is a dispute within the party (as seen in some past “split” scenarios), the Chairman can exercise discretion to decide which group or leader represents the “recognized” party in the House.
3. Privileges and Standing: Since the Deputy Leader role is tied to the recognized strength of a party, any internal change is simply a notification to the Secretariat. There is no constitutional bar or requirement for a “vote” to remove a party’s Deputy Leader; it is entirely at the discretion of the Party President/Convener.

The Statutory Framework: The 1998 Facilities Act:

The Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998 is the primary law governing these positions.

• Definition of Leadership: The Act provides statutory recognition and facilities (like office space, secretarial staff, and telephone services) to the “Leader,” “Deputy Leader,” and “Chief Whip” of recognized parties.

• Recognized Party vs. Group: * A Recognized Party in the Rajya Sabha must have at least 25 members.

• A Recognized Group must have between 15 and 24 members.

• The “Exception” for Smaller Parties: Parties with fewer than 15 members (like AAP, which currently has 10 MPs in the Rajya Sabha) are technically considered “Groups” rather than “Recognised Parties” under this specific Act for the purpose of full facilities. However, they are still allowed to designate floor managers like a “Leader” and “Deputy Leader” for functional coordination.

Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business (Rajya Sabha):

While the 1998 Act handles facilities, the Rules of Procedure govern the actual functioning of these leaders within the House.

• Rule 2 (Leader of the House): Defines the Leader of the House (usually the PM or a Minister nominated by the PM).
• Floor Management: Positions like the Deputy Leader are vital for “floor management.” They coordinate with the Chair (Vice President) on:

• Allotment of speaking time.
• Selection of members to participate in specific debates.
• Managing the “quota” of time allotted to the party based on its strength.

• Binding Nature of Party Communication: Under these rules, if a party officially notifies the Rajya Sabha Secretariat of a change in leadership (as AAP did on April 2, 2026, replacing Raghav Chadha with Ashok Mittal), the Secretariat is duty-bound to update its records. The Chairman does not “elect” these leaders; he merely recognizes the party’s internal decision.