NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in India’s Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament). This is a significant position that had been vacant during the terms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Key Highlights
- New Role: Rahul Gandhi was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
- The challenge to Modi: His appointment signals a strong challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition government.
- Formal Address: Gandhi shook hands with Modi and Speaker Om Birla before addressing the Lok Sabha.
Appointment and Address
- Speaker Re-elected: Om Birla was re-elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by a voice vote. The opposition had fielded a candidate against Birla but did not push for a vote count, which opposition MPs described as a tactical decision.
- Gandhi’s Speech: In his address, Gandhi congratulated Speaker Birla and pledged the opposition’s cooperation. He emphasized the need for trust and fair representation of the opposition’s voice in the Parliament. “It is very important that the voice of the opposition is allowed to be represented in this house,” he stated.
Rahul Gandhi Promises to Represent All Indians-2024!
Responsibilities and Significance
High-Profile Committees: As Leader of the Opposition, Gandhi will join key committees led by the Prime Minister. These committees make crucial appointments, such as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Function of the House: Gandhi stressed the need for the Parliament to function effectively and for the opposition to be given a chance to voice their concerns. He said, “It is very important that cooperation happens with trust.”
Historical Context
- Opposition Presence: Since 2014, no opposition party has secured the required 10% (55 seats) in the Lok Sabha to claim the Leader of the Opposition post. However, Congress won 99 seats in the recent general election, enabling them to nominate Gandhi for this role.
- Congress’s Role: The Congress party announced that Gandhi would ensure the government remains accountable at all times.
Gandhi’s Commitment
- First Appearance: On his first day in Parliament as the Leader of the Opposition, Gandhi wore a traditional white khadi kurta and pyjama, deviating from his usual attire.
- Opposition’s Voice: He highlighted that the opposition now represents more voices of the Indian populace than before and reiterated the importance of allowing these voices to be heard in the house.
Gandhi concluded his speech with a message of confidence, urging fair representation and the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Indian people: “I am confident that you will allow us to represent our voice, allow us to speak, to represent the voice of the people of India.”
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