Congress Chief Kharge Continues as Rajya Sabha Opposition Leader

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has been officially recognised as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha after his re-election to the Upper House.

By Pranjal Gupta

New Delhi, June 29: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was on Monday officially recognised as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha after he was re-elected to the Upper House.

Kharge took oath as a Rajya Sabha member in the chamber of Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan earlier in the day.

According to a bulletin issued by Rajya Sabha Secretary-General P. C. Mody, Kharge's earlier term as a Rajya Sabha member ended on June 25, 2026. As a result, he automatically ceased to hold the post of Leader of Opposition from June 26, 2026.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge takes oath after re-election and resumes his role as the officially recognised Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. (Image Source: RSTV)

Following his re-election to the Rajya Sabha with effect from June 26, the Chairman formally recognised Kharge as the Leader of Opposition from the same date. The recognition has been granted under the provisions of the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.

The notification ensures that Kharge continues to hold the position without any break after returning to the Upper House. As Leader of Opposition, he heads the opposition benches in the Rajya Sabha and plays an important role in parliamentary debates, scrutiny of government policies, and key appointments where the law requires the presence of the Leader of Opposition.