Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar turned down the Aam Aadmi Party’s request to appoint MP Raghav Chadha as the party’s interim leader in the Upper House, Parliament sources said.
Sources in the AAP, however, said Rajya Sabha officials have suggested some correction in the letter sent to the Chairman for nominating Chadha as “interim leader” and they will shortly be sending a corrected application.
Mr. Dhankhar, according to sources, in a letter to AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has stated that the request does not comply with the rules.
In his letter, the Rajya Sabha Chairman ruled: “This aspect is subject to ‘The Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act. 1998’ and the Rules made thereunder. The request, not being in conformity to applicable legal regime, is not being acceded to.”
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who is the current floor leader, was arrested on October 4 and has been in judicial custody. His term expires on January 27. Citing this, earlier this month, Mr. Kejriwal recommended to the Rajya Sabha Chairman to appoint Mr. Chadha as the floor leader.
Under The Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognised Parties and Groups in Parliament (Facilities) Act, referred to by Mr. Dhankhar, in his letter to Mr. Kejriwal, there is no provision of ‘interim leader’. Yet, the right to choose the floor leaders lies entirely with the party.
