Rahul Gandhi appointed as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha

Congress lawmaker Rahul Gandhi will be the new Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, as announced by the party on Tuesday. This decision was made after a meeting with key INDIA bloc leaders. It marks the first time in a decade that the Lower House will have a Leader of the Opposition. The announcement came just before a crucial election for the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. As LoP, Gandhi will lead a strong and diverse opposition group against the Modi government.

Responsibilities and future actions

Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress parliamentary party, wrote to the pro-tem speaker, Bhartruhari Mahtab, informing him of Rahul Gandhi's new role. In the previous two Lok Sabha terms, Congress did not have enough seats to claim the LoP status. The position of LoP is equivalent to a cabinet minister in terms of status and perks.

Rahul Gandhi, who has been a member of the Lok Sabha since 2004, won from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala in the recent general elections. He decided to retain Rae Bareli and vacated Wayanad, where his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will be the Congress candidate.

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In his new role, Gandhi will be involved in selecting key functionaries alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These include positions such as election commissioners, the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, the chairperson of the Central Vigilance Commission, the Chief Information Commissioner, and the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.

Gandhi’s appointment comes during a time of heightened tension between the NDA and a stronger opposition, which now has 236 MPs in the Lok Sabha. He is expected to participate in the debate on the Speaker’s election later this week.

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The extended Congress Working Committee had urged Gandhi to take the LoP position, showing unanimous support for his leadership. Gandhi has indicated that the opposition will be more assertive, especially regarding issues like the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test controversy. He emphasized that the government will face significant pressure from the opposition to address and resolve key issues.

This new role signifies a critical moment for Gandhi and the Congress party, as they aim to strengthen their influence and hold the government accountable.