Power and Functions of the Standing Committees

1. The bureau of every Standing Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Secretary designated by the Chairperson of the committee, after due consultation.
2. The Chairperson and Vice chairperson of the Standing Committees shall be appointed by the National Chairperson of the Party, after due consultation, on the basis of their knowledge and experience in the respective domains of activity.
3. The Standing Committee shall meet as the business of the various committees requires; provided that every committee shall meet at least once every three monthly;
4. The meetings of the Standing Committees shall be convened and presided over by their respective Chairpersons and in their absence by the Vice Chairpersons;
5. The Chairperson of the Standing Committees and their deputies shall constitute the ‘’government-in-waiting’’ of the Party and shall be referred to as the ‘’Shadow Government’’
6. The meetings of the Chairpersons and their deputies shall be conducted in accordance with rules and practices governing cabinet meetings.
7. The meetings of the Shadow Government shall be convened and presided over by the National Chairperson of the Party, or by one of the Vice National Chairpersons or by any other personality of the Party designated by the National Chairperson ;
8. Meetings of the Shadow Government shall be held as often as the circumstances require; provided that the Shadow Government shall meet not later than one week to every National Executive Committee meeting to consider reports to be presented to the National Executive Committee;
9. In consultation with the National Chairperson, the Committees shall set up the various departments as required by their sphere of activity and department heads appointed and resource persons recruited thereto by the respective Chairperson;
10. The Chairpersons of the Standing Committees shall prepare other rules and regulations, where necessary, and table them to the National Executive Committee for examination and adoption;

The work programme for every Standing committee shall, at the instance of the National Chairperson, be prepared and submitted to the National Executive Committee for adoption.