Parliament Standing Committees Formed, Rahul Gandhi On Defence Panel

The Parliament has restructured its standing committees, with prominent roles being assigned to prominent political leaders across party lines in 24 key panels. While Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was appointed as a member of the Defence Affairs Committee, Bharatiya Janata Party Janata Party Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut will be part of the Committee on Communications and Information Technology.

The department-related standing committees, which have representation from across party lines, act as mini parliaments and keep a tab on the functioning of various ministries.

Of the total 24 department-related standing committees, BJP has got to chair 11, while its allies have got to lead four panels. Congress leaders will helm four committees, followed by two each by DMK and Trinamool, and one by the Samajwadi Party. Major BJP allies such as the TDP and Janata Dal (United) besides its partners in poll-bound Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena and NCP, will be heading one committee each.