NCP factions withdraw complaints against Rajya Sabha members

Jagdeep Dhankhar
| Photo Credit: PTI

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has disposed of the complaints under Rajya Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules against the Nationalist Congress Party and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MPs Praful Patel, Vandana Chauhan, and Fauzia Khan as both the factions sought no further actions on their pleas. Announcing his decision in Rajya Sabha on Friday (March 21, 2025), Mr. Dhankhar said based on the stand taken by leaders of both the parties, he felt that it was “expedient to give quietness to both the petitions and the same are accordingly disposed of”.

The complaints against Ms. Chauhan and Ms. Khan were filed by Mr. Patil, while Mr. Pawar had petitioned against Mr. Patil seeking disqualification as the party split into two. Ms. Chauhan’s tenure ended on April 2, 2024. Mr. Patel had resigned on February 27, 2024, and was re-elected on April 3, 2024. Ms. Khan’s term will end in April this year.

“Both petitions were, in a sense, under the 10th schedule of the Constitution, provisions for disqualification on ground of defection,” the Vice President said adding that Mr. Chauhan’s term ended and Mr. Patel resigned and got re-elected.

“While the issue was engaging my attention, two even-dated communications were received on February 3; one from Sharad Pawar, leader of the NCP(SP) in the Rajya Sabha, and the other from Praful Patel, leader of the NCP, both urging that no further action be taken in the matter. After bestowing my earnest attention and after going into the tenability of the petitions, as also these contextual interventions, I find it expedient to give quietness to both the petitions and the same are accordingly disposed of,” he said, adding that he was happy that the leaders cooperated.