Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Post	Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Body	Parliament of India
Native name	उपाध्यक्ष, राज्यसभा
Seat	Parliament of India Complex, Sansad Bhavan
Incumbent	Vacant
Style	The Honourable
Appointer	Elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha
Termlength	During the pleasure of the Rajya Sabha; typically for the remainder of the Lok Sabha term
Formation	1952
Inaugural	Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (post established post-1952; early holders include Jawaharlal Nehru era appointees)

Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is the presiding officer elected from among the members of the Rajya Sabha who assists and substitutes for the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in conducting the business of the upper house of the Parliament of India. The office interacts with constitutional figures such as the President of India, the Prime Minister of India and members from parties like the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Occupants have included leaders associated with states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu and institutions such as the Constituent Assembly of India and the Supreme Court of India.

Role and responsibilities

The Deputy Chairman presides over sittings of the Rajya Sabha in the absence of the Vice President of India (who is ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha), ensures observance of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, and facilitates debates involving members from parties including the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the All India Trinamool Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and the Aam Aadmi Party. The office interfaces with parliamentary committees such as the Committee on Privileges, the Committee on Subordinate Legislation, and the Business Advisory Committee, and coordinates with constitutional offices like the Election Commission of India during internal elections and with the Lok Sabha leadership on joint sittings under the President of India.

Election and tenure

The Deputy Chairman is elected by a majority of members of the Rajya Sabha through a secret ballot under provisions influenced by parliamentary precedents set in the early years of the Republic of India. Candidates are typically nominated by major parties including the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party or by coalitions such as the National Democratic Alliance and the United Progressive Alliance. Tenure continues until resignation, removal by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha, disqualification under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, or cessation as a member due to events involving the Election Commission of India or the President of India acting on constitutional advice. Historical election events have involved figures from states like Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab, and Bihar.

Powers and functions in the House

When presiding, the Deputy Chairman enforces the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, decides points of order, allocates time for debates on Bills introduced by ministries such as the Ministry of Home Affairs (India), the Ministry of Finance (India), and the Ministry of External Affairs (India), and oversees voting procedures including voice votes and divisions recorded by the Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman can name members for breach of privilege under standing orders, refer matters to the Committee of Privileges or the Ethics Committee, and manage legislative scrutiny of statutes like the Constitution (One Hundredth Amendment) Act or ordinances promulgated by the President of India on advice of the Union Cabinet of India.

Relationship with the Chairman and Lok Sabha

The Deputy Chairman acts as the principal deputy to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the Vice President of India), maintaining continuity in parliamentary procedure and representing the Rajya Sabha in consultations with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, leaders of the Lok Sabha such as the Leader of the House (Lok Sabha), and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. In matters requiring bicameral coordination—joint sittings under Article 108 of the Constitution of India, coordination with select committees, or disputes resolved by the President of India—the Deputy Chairman liaises with the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, and parliamentary officials including the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha.

List of Deputy Chairmen

A chronological list of Deputy Chairmen spans from early post-independence parliamentarians to recent incumbents drawn from parties such as the Indian National Congress, the Janata Dal, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and regional formations like the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Telugu Desam Party. Notable names include leaders who also served in capacities linked to the Constituent Assembly of India, the Union Public Service Commission, and state legislative bodies in Madhya Pradesh and Assam. The list reflects representation from regions including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Jharkhand.

Notable officeholders and controversies

Officeholders such as former Deputy Chairmen have had careers intersecting with prominent figures including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Manmohan Singh, and episodes involving parliamentary privilege, resignations, judicial review by the Supreme Court of India, and political disputes among coalitions like the United Front (India) and the National Front (India). Controversies have centered on rulings on admissibility of motions, discipline of members from parties such as the Communist Party of India and electoral disputes referred to the Election Commission of India, as well as high-profile interventions related to issues involving the Ministry of Defence (India), the Ministry of Finance (India), and statutory inquiries under acts like the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Category:Parliament of India