Raghav Chadha

Born on 11 November 1987 in New Delhi, Chadha received his school education from Modern School (New Delhi) and graduated from University of Delhi (DU). He then pursued Chartered Accountancy from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In his early career he worked with accountancy firms including Deloitte, and Grant Thornton.

Chadha has been a part of the Aam Aadmi Party since its inception.{{cite web |title=School debate champ, AAP spokesperson & now Rajya Sabha MP: Tracing the rise of Raghav Chadha |website=ThePrint |date=26 March 2022 |url=https://theprint.in/politics/school-debate-champ-aap-spokesperson-now-rajya-sabha-mp-tracing-the-rise-of-raghav-chadha/888109/}} Arvind Kejriwal encouraged him in drafting the Delhi Lokpal Bill in 2012, which was also his first political task.{{cite web |title=AAP's Raghav Chadha made Punjab unit's co-incharge |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/aaps-raghav-chadha-made-punjab-units-co-incharge-187096}} He established himself as the AAP's TV face and also became the youngest national spokesperson of the AAP and one of the youngest across parties.{{cite web |title=AAP's Raghav Chadha made Punjab unit's co-incharge |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/aaps-raghav-chadha-made-punjab-units-co-incharge-187096}}

When AAP won the 2015 Delhi Legislative Assembly election with a majority, Chadha, at the age of 26 was appointed AAP's national treasurer. In April 2018, the then Union Minister of Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh, terminated his appointment as an advisor to Manish Sisodia along with 9 other advisors.{{Cite news|date=18 April 2018|title=Sacked AAP adviser Raghav Chadha refunds Rs 2.5 salary to home ministry|newspaper=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/sacked-aap-adviser-raghav-chadha-refunds-rs-2-5-salary-to-home-ministry-118041800900_1.html|via=Business Standard}}

In 2019, Chadha contested from the South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He lost in the elections to the BJP candidate, Ramesh Bidhuri.{{Cite web |date=23 May 2019 |title=Lok Sabha Election result: In South Delhi, BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri marches ahead, and Raghav Chadha distant second |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/lok-sabha-election-result-in-south-delhi-bjp-marches-ahead-aaps-raghav-chadha-distant-second-6690321.html}}{{cite news |title=Raghav Chadha's decade in politics: From volunteer at anti-corruption movement to youngest Rajya Sabha member |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/political-pulse/raghav-chadhas-anti-corruption-movement-aap-rajya-sabha-punjab-7833878/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=24 March 2022 |language=en}} Since the 1980s, South Delhi has been a BJP stronghold and represented by stalwarts like Madan Lal Khurana, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Sushma Swaraj and Ramesh Bidhuri as well as Balraj Madhok of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological and political predecessor of BJP.{{cite news |title=South Delhi: Congress, Aam Aadmi Party all guns blazing in BJP's den |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=10 May 2019 |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/elections/south-delhi-congress-aam-aadmi-party-all-guns-blazing-in-bjp-s-den-119051000068_1.html|last1=Dutta |first1=Arnab }}

In 2020, as a leader of AAP, Chadha was appointed AAP Punjab co-in-charge for the Punjab Legislative Assembly election in 2022, playing a crucial role in the party's eventual landslide victory, where AAP won 92 out of 117 seats.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/punjab-assembly-polls-2022/story/ruckus-during-aap-leader-raghav-chadha-s-press-conference-in-jalandhar-over-ticket-distribution-1897414-2022-01-07|title=Ruckus in AAP leader Raghav Chadha's press conference in Jalandhar over ticket distribution|date=7 January 2022|website=India Today|access-date=9 January 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jalandhar/unhappy-over-ticket-distribution-raghav-chadha-shown-black-flags-7712388/|title=Punjab: Unhappy over ticket distribution, Raghav Chadha shown black flags|date=8 January 2022|website=India Today|access-date=9 January 2022}}

In February 2020, Chadha contested from Rajendra Nagar in the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election and won against BJP's candidate RP Singh with a margin of 20,058 votes. He polled a massive 57.06% of the total votes.{{cite web |title=AAP's Raghav Chadha wins from Rajinder Nagar with a margin of 20,085 votes |date=11 February 2020 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/aap-s-raghav-chadha-wins-from-rajinder-nagar-with-a-margin-of-20-085-votes/story-V5NcjPHUHXEUrZd8wVM1CO.html}} Following the elections, he was appointed vice-chairman of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and where he focused on providing clean, 24x7 piped water supply and cleaning the Yamuna River, significantly improving Delhi's water management systems.

On 21 March 2022, it was announced that Chadha along with four others were nominated by AAP for the post of Rajya Sabha members from Punjab for a six-year term starting 2022.{{cite news |title=AAP's Rajya Sabha List: Ex Cricketer, IIT Professor, Raghav Chadha |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aap-nominates-ex-cricketer-harbhajan-singh-raghav-chadha-ashok-kumar-mittal-sandeep-pathak-for-rajya-sabha-from-punjab-2833521 |work=NDTV.com |date=21 March 2022}} No opposition candidate opposed their election.{{cite news |title=All five nominees of AAP from Punjab elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha |url=https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=All-five-nominees-of-AAP-from-Punjab-elected-unopposed-to-Rajya-Sabha&id=437831 |access-date=27 March 2022 |work=newsonair.gov.in |date=24 March 2022}} This made him the youngest Indian Rajya Sabha MP ever at the age of 33. He was also appointed as a Member of the Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance in Rajya Sabha. The committee oversees the laws and policies drafted by three union ministries and the NITI Aayog.{{cite web |title=AAP's Raghav Chadha, Youngest In Rajya Sabha, Now Part Of Finance Panel |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aaps-raghav-chadha-youngest-in-rajya-sabha-now-part-of-finance-panel-3405305}}

In April 2022, Chadha said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) settled Bangladeshi people and Rohingyas in Delhi and uses them to cause riots.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-04-21 |title='Bangladeshis & Rohingyas': AAP and BJP find common ground to target each other |url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/delhi/bangladeshis-rohingyas-aap-and-bjpfind-common-ground-to-target-each-other-475106 |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=www.millenniumpost.in |language=en}}

Credited with the party's success in Punjab, on 18 September 2022, Chadha was appointed co-in-charge for the 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election.{{cite news |title=Raghav Chadha appointed AAP's Gujarat co-incharge for Assembly election |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/raghav-chadha-appointed-aaps-gujarat-co-incharge-for-assembly-election/article65906031.ece |access-date=18 September 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=18 September 2022 |language=en-IN}}

He is appointed as a leader of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Rajya Sabha.{{cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aap-raghav-chadha-appointed-party-leader-in-rajya-sabha-in-place-of-sanjay-singh-4685083 | title=Raghav Chadha New AAP Rajya Sabha Leader, Replaces Jailed Sanjay Singh }}

In the wake of Sanjay Singh, the Floor Leader of the AAP in the Rajya Sabha, being unable to discharge his responsibilities while in judicial custody, the party leader and Delhi CM Kejriwal, had requested the chairman of Rajya Sabha to appoint Chadha as AAP's interim Leader of the House in early December 2023. However, the request was turned down, as the request reportedly was not in conformity with the applicable legal regime governed by The Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, 1998 and the Rules made thereunder.{{cite news |author= |title=Rajya Sabha chairman declines AAP's request to appoint Raghav Chadha as party's interim leader in House |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/rajya-sabha-chairman-declines-aaps-request-to-appoint-raghav-chadha-as-partys-interim-leader-in-house/cid/1990168 |work=The Telegraph Online |agency=Press Trust of India |date=2023-12-29 |access-date=2023-12-31|ref=none}}

After AAP's victory in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appointed Chadha as the Chairman of an Advisory Panel. A plea challenging his appointment was struck down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.{{cite web |title=Punjab: Why Raghav Chadha's Appointment as Advisor by AAP Govt Is Drawing Flak |url=https://thewire.in/government/punjab-why-raghav-chadhas-appointment-as-advisor-by-aap-govt-is-drawing-flak}}

Chadha engaged actress Parineeti Chopra, on 13 May 2023 at Kapurthala House in New Delhi.{{Cite web |date=13 May 2023 |title=Parineeti Chopra gets engaged to Raghav Chadha, shares first pics: 'Everything I prayed for' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/parineeti-chopra-raghav-chadha-engagement-photos-videos-8605619/lite/ |access-date=13 May 2023 |work=The Indian Express}} Chadha married Chopra on 24 September 2023 at The Leela Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony.{{Cite web |date=24 September 2023 |title=Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha wedding live updates: Raagrina done with pheras, are now married |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/parineeti-chopra-raghav-chadha-wedding-live-updates-udaipur-pictures-videos-guests-101695526408661-amp.html |access-date=24 September 2023 |work=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite news |title=Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha are now married! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/parineeti-chopra-and-raghav-chadha-are-now-married/articleshow/103908105.cms |access-date=24 September 2023 |work=The Times of India}} Chadha has been in London to undergo a vitrectomy surgery. When asked about his long absence, his party colleague Saurabh Bhardwaj claimed that he could have lost eyesight if not for timely operation.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-30 |title=AAP leader on Raghav Chadha: 'Could have lost eyesight, had surgery in UK' |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/raghav-chadha-surgery-uk-blindness-missing-lok-sabha-election-aap-saurabh-bhardwaj-2533383-2024-04-30 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=India Today |language=en}}

On 8 August 2023, five MPs claimed that their names were mentioned on the proposal to send the Delhi NCR Amendment Bill to the Select Committee without their consent, by a motion moved by Raghav Chadha. They accused Chadha of forgery and breach of privilege.{{Cite web |last=ANI News |date=2023-08-08 |title="May have forged..." 5 Rajya Sabha MPs demand Privilege Motion against AAP MP Raghav Chadha |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/may-have-forged-5-rajya-sabha-mps-demand-privilege-motion-against-aap-mp-raghav-chadha20230808001049 |website=ANI News}}{{cite web |title=On Amit Shah's Fraud Claim Against AAP Motion, Raghav Chadha Said |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-amit-shahs-fraud-claim-against-aap-motion-raghav-chadha-said-4278066}} On 11 August, Chadha was suspended from the Rajya Sabha, for "Gross Violation Of Rules".{{Cite web |title=Raghav Chadha Suspended From Rajya Sabha Over "Gross Violation Of Rules" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aaps-raghav-chadha-suspended-from-rajya-sabha-over-forgery-allegations-4289255 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=NDTV.com}}

{{transcluded section|source=South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency}}

{{#section:South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency|General Election 2019}}

{{transcluded section|source=Rajinder Nagar Assembly constituency}}

{{#section:Rajinder Nagar Assembly constituency|Assembly Election 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite news |title=Raghav Chadha's decade in politics: From volunteer at anti-corruption movement to youngest Rajya Sabha member |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/political-pulse/raghav-chadhas-anti-corruption-movement-aap-rajya-sabha-punjab-7833878/ |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=24 March 2022 |language=en}}

• {{Commons-inline}}

{{s-start}}

{{S-par|in-rs}}

{{Rajya Sabha succession box

| state= Punjab

| before= List

| after=

| years= 2022– }}

{{s-par|in-la}}

{{IN Assembly succession box

| state= Delhi

| constituency= Rajinder Nagar

| before= Vijender Garg Vijay (AAP)

| after=

| years= 2020–2022 }}

{{s-ppo-aap}}

{{s-bef|before=Office established}}

{{s-ttl|title=Co in-charge
for 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election |years= – present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-bef|before= - }}

{{s-ttl|title= Member of National Executive Committee
Aam Aadmi Party |years =– present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-bef|before= - }}

{{s-ttl|title= Spokesperson
Aam Aadmi Party |years =– present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-bef|before=Office established}}

{{s-ttl|title=Co in-charge
for 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election|years= September 2022 – present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{Rajya Sabha members from Punjab}}

{{Rajya Sabha}}

{{Aam Aadmi Party}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chadha, Raghav}}

Category:Living people

Category:Politicians from New Delhi

Category:Delhi MLAs 2020–2025

Category:Aam Aadmi Party politicians

Category:Delhi University alumni

Category:Indian accountants

Category:1988 births

Category:Aam Aadmi Party candidates in the 2019 Indian general election

Category:Rajya Sabha members from Aam Aadmi Party

Category:Modern School (New Delhi) alumni