Leader of Opposition in India

• Context (IE): The Leader of Opposition (LoP) is in place in the 18^th Lok Sabha following a ten-year vacancy due to no party meeting the required one-tenth strength of the House.

About the Leader of Opposition (LoP)

• The LoP in Lok Sabha has a deep historical foundation in Indian politics, originating from the former Central Legislative Assembly during British rule. Each House of Parliament has a Leader of Opposition.
• The Leader of Opposition was officially recognised for the first time in 1969.
• The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were accorded statutory recognition in 1977 by The Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.
• The Act defines the LoP as a member of either the Council of States (RS) or the House of the People (LS) who leads the party with the greatest numerical strength, as recognized by the Chairman or Speaker.
• Conventionally, a party must have at least 10% of the MPs in the House to qualify for the post of LoP.
• They are entitled to receive the salary and allowances specified in the Salary, Allowances, and Pension of Members of Parliament Act 1954 (Salaries, allowances, and other facilities are equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister).
• In order of Precedence, the LoP in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha ranks at No. 7, alongside Union Cabinet Ministers.
• The LoP sits in the front row to the left of the Chair and has specific ceremonial privileges, such as escorting the Speaker-elect to the rostrum.
• Additionally, the LoP is entitled to a front-row seat during the President’s Address to both Houses of Parliament.

Duties of Leader of Opposition

• Voice of Opposition: Serves as the primary representative of the opposition in the House.
• Shadow Prime Minister: Acts as a shadow Prime Minister with a shadow Cabinet, ready to take over if the government falls.
• Mutual Forbearance: Operates within a system that allows for disagreement while enabling the Prime Minister to govern.
• Facilitating House Business: Plays a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of parliamentary business.
• Represents the opposition in committees headed by the Prime Minister for key appointments:
  1. Director of CBI
  2. Central Vigilance Commissioner and Chief Information Commissioner
  3. Chairperson and Members of the National Human Rights Commission
  4. Lokpal
• Participates in critical committees such as:
  1. Public Accounts Committee
  2. Public Undertakings Committee
  3. Estimates Committee
  4. Joint Parliamentary Committees