Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took on his first Constitutional role as he was elected the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, a position that was left vacant for the past 10 years because no Opposition party met the minimum strength criterion for the post.
As the Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, Rahul Gandhi will have key responsibilities like participating in the appointment process for officials such as the CBI director, the Chief Election Commissioners, the National Human Rights Commission chairperson and the Chief Vigilance Commissioner.
On the selection panels for most of these appointments, the government has a 2-1 advantage, as it comprises the Prime Minister and a Union Minister. But as Leader of the Opposition, Gandhi will have a say.
The 54-year-old leader is the third member of the Gandhi family to become the Leader of the Opposition. His father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was Leader of the Opposition fron 1989-90 when the VP Singh government was in power. His mother and former UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi occupied the post from 1999-2004 when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was in power.
As a Leader of Opposition, Gandhi will also enjoy the rank of a cabinet minister and get an office and staff in the Parliament building.
According to a government booklet available in the Parliament library, “The Leader of the Opposition occupies a seat in the front row left to the Chair. He/she also enjoys certain privileges on ceremonial occasions like escorting the Speaker-elect to the rostrum and a seat in the front row at the time of the Address by the President to both the Houses of Parliament.”
Also Read: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi named Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
An LoP gets a salary and has several facilities and amenities at his/her disposal under the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.
Rahul Gandhi, as LoP, will get a salary of Rs 3.3 lakh. He will also get security at the level of a Cabinet minister. This may include a Z+ security cover. He will get a government bungalow similar to that of a Cabinet minister, according to an ABP report.
