Jagdeep Dhankhar declines Raghav Chadha's appointment as interim leader of AAP in Rajya Sabha

Animesh Singh

New Delhi, December 29

Chairman of Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar has declined AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal’s request to appoint Raghav Chadha as interim leader of the party in the Upper House, according to sources.

Sanjay Singh continues to remain the leader of AAP in Rajya Sabha. Singh incidentally is currently under judicial custody in relation with the excise policy case.

According to sources, Dhankhar has officially declined the request put forth by Kejriwal to appoint Chadha as interim party leader in Rajya Sabha.

In his response to Arvind Kejriwal’s communication dated December 14, 2023 seeking appointment of Chadha as the interim party leader in the Rajya Sabha, the chairman wrote, “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.”

Kejriwal, in his previous communication, had written, “I would like to propose the name of Mr Raghav Chadha as the interim party leader in the Rajya Sabha until further changes are deemed necessary. We request that this change be allowed as per the rules and procedures of the Rajya Sabha.”

This was in the backdrop of the current Rajya Sabha party leader, Sanjay Singh, being under judicial custody and consequently being unable to attend the parliament session.

Sanjay Singh continues to remain the leader of Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha.