Aam Aadmi Party has removed MP Raghav Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha. In his place, Dr. Ashok Kumar has been given this post. The party has also written a letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat requesting not to give time to Raghav to speak. Aam Aadmi Party or any political party has the final responsibility to decide which post will be given to which of its MPs in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
Let us know in the context of this incident what is the responsibility of the Deputy Leader of any party in the Rajya Sabha? What is the provision of appointment and how is the time decided for speaking in the Upper House?
What is the job of Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha?
Rajya Sabha is the upper house of India’s democracy. The proceedings here are conducted according to the Constitution, parliamentary rules and established traditions. The post of Deputy Leader or Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha is primarily a parliamentary party post. There are two main official posts in the House. Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition. Apart from these, each political party chooses its leader and deputy leader.
Raghav Chadha was appointed as deputy leader by his party. The main job of the Deputy Leader is to lead the party within the House in the absence of his party leader. He coordinates legislative work. This helps in deciding what stand the party will take on which bill. The Deputy Leader also maintains contact with the Business Advisory Committee of the House. He acts as a bridge between the party MPs and the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.
Raghav Chadha
What are the appointment process and rules?
The appointment of deputy leader of any party is entirely an internal decision of that political party. There is no public election for this. In the meeting of the high command of the party or the parliamentary party, it is decided who will be their deputy leader in the House. Once the party elects its deputy leader, its official information is given to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat through a letter.
The secretariat records this information. Only after this that member gets recognized as the Deputy Leader in official meetings or correspondence of the House. If the party wants to remove someone from this post, then it has to again inform the Secretariat that the particular member is no longer holding this post, as has happened in the case of Raghav Chadha.
How is the time allotted for speaking in Rajya Sabha?
Speaking time in Rajya Sabha is not a property of any post, rather it is a systematic process. Under the rules of the House, the total time for discussion on any topic is fixed. This total time is divided on the basis of the numerical strength of various political parties present in the House.
For example, if there is four hours time to discuss a bill, then the party which has more MPs will get more time. The Chief Whip or leader of the party gives to the Secretariat the list of names of the members who will speak in that allotted time. If the party does not include a member’s name in the list, then it becomes difficult for that member to speak from the party’s quota. In this way, Raghav Chadha is a member of the House but now it will be difficult for him to speak. Now his voice will hardly be heard in the House.
What is the meaning of the letter to the secretariat in Raghav Chadha issue?
Aam Aadmi Party’s request to remove Raghav Chadha from the post and not give him time means that the party no longer considers him as its official representative. Party discipline is paramount in parliamentary democracy. If the party has given in writing to the Secretariat that time should not be given to him, it simply means that the party does not want to utilize its allotted time through Raghav Chadha.
However, there is a technical point here. Any member of Rajya Sabha can also express his wish to express his views independently. But in practice, without the support of the party or special permission of the Presiding Officer, it is very difficult for a member to get an opportunity to speak. Because time is limited and it is already divided among the parties.
Constitutional scope and rights of members
Article 105 of the Indian Constitution talks about the privileges of MPs, which also includes freedom of speech in the House. But this freedom is subject to the rules of the House and the control of the Speaker. Article 118 gives each House of Parliament the power to make rules for the conduct of its business.
If a party removes any of its members from the post, that member remains an MP unless action is taken against him under the anti-defection law or he himself resigns. Removal from the post does not mean termination of membership, but only termination of that special responsibility and the facilities associated with it.
Party discipline versus individual rights
In the parliamentary system, the post of deputy leader is part of the internal structure of the party. Its appointment and removal is within the jurisdiction of the political party. As far as the time of speaking is concerned, it depends on the consent of the party and the discretion of the Chairman. In the case of Raghav Chadha, the party’s letter makes it clear that the party no longer wants to use him as its voice in the House. This entire process is valid under parliamentary rules. Ultimately, the final decision on whether any member should speak or not within the House is taken by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who takes the decision keeping in mind the rules and traditions.
Also read: Why will NASA astronauts not step on the moon even after spending Rs 7.7 lakh crore?