Scindia made Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha

Rahul Gandhi’s close confidant Jyotiraditya Scindia has been appointed chief whip of the Congress in the Lok Sabha.

Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, who trounced BJP leader Arun Jaitley in Amritsar, has been appointed Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha.

Singh would assist Mallikarjun Kharge, who was named Leader of the Congress in the Lower House. Another member of Team Rahul, Deepender Hooda, and former Union Minister K C Venugopal have been made deputy whips.

The appointments, made by Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Congress in Parliament, have given final shape to the party’s team in the Lok Sabha.

Sonia is expected to make similar appointments for the Rajya Sabha and former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is considered as the frontrunner for the post of the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House.

Meanwhile, Rahul continued to occupy the back benches in the Lok Sabha. He was seated in the 10th row when the House convened for oath taking by members. Some Congress members were seen having brief chats with him. 

Kharge’s appointment as the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha has sent signals that Rahul was reluctant to lead the party at a time when it has reached its lowest tally – 44 members – in the Lok Sabha.

Congress defended Rahul contending that he would revive the party which has its presence in every village and every town of the country.

NCP member Supriya Sule, daughter of former Union Minister Sharad Pawar, was seen having a long chat with Rahul. Normally, no seating arrangement is made in the Lok Sabha till the election of the Speaker.