The Congress Sunday named Ghulam Nabi Azad as leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for his assuming the role of Leader of Opposition in the upper house.
The party appointed Anand Sharma as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha.
A statement issued by party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said the decision was taken by Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi "exercising her authorisation by the Congress party in parliament".
Both Azad and Sharma were union ministers in the previous Congress-led government at the Centre.
Congress has the strength to claim the position of Leader of Opposition in the upper house.
