New Delhi: The Congress may have to look for a new Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha if Mallikarjun Kharge, the current LoP, is elected as the party president due to the party’s new one-man, one-post directions, leaders familiar with the matter.
While the selection process for Kharge’s successor in the Upper House will begin only after the results of the Congress’ presidential election on October 19, leaders indicated that Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik or Ranjit Ranjan could be potential candidates.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had last week introduced the one person, one post formula ahead of the election of the Congress President. While this was originally stated in reference to Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot – a key choice for the party’s top post at the time, Kharge may also follow the same principle.
The Udaipur Chintan Shivir in the resolution of April 2022 called for the implementation of the policy at all levels of the party. Kharge became the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House in February 2021 after the retirement of Ghulam Nabi Azad.
According to party insiders, Singh, who had opted out of the race to support Kharge, could emerge as a possible successor to Kharge. “He does not hold any organizational post and a leader from the Hindi belt can also act as a balancing factor,” said a leader, who is also likely to consider senior party leader Mukul Wasnik. A Congress leader in the Rajya Sabha said that among women leaders, Ranjeet Ranjan, a fiery speaker from Bihar or Shaktisinh Gohil, a former leader of opposition from Gujarat, could also be considered.
