#261: Leader of opposition

A comprehensive post to understand everything regarding LOPs for #UPSC

Rahul Gandhi is now India’s 7th most important person

Yes, you may now call him the "Shadow Prime Minister" of India

Read All about Leader of Opposition in India parliamentary system 👇🏻

18th Lok Sabha has a Leader of opposition unlike the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha.

Because of a rule issued called Direction 121 which declares that the Parties are those groups having 10% strength in the Lok Sabha

The Salary and Allowances of LOP Act, 1977 states that, A LOP is the leader of largest party in opposition.

These 2 rules give Leader of opposition to a party with a minimum of 10% strength of house.

In 16th and 17th Lok Sabha there was no single party with a clear majority. Hence, there was no LOP!

This time Indian National Congress has hit a 99* which makes them the biggest opposition in the parliament with a clear 10% majority.

Revise some of the previous Leader of oppositions here👇🏻

Significance of a LOP

A leader of opposition in a Westminster parliamentary model like ourselves has no constitutional powers. But, he receives certain privileges which are distinct from rest of the members.

Privileges of a LOP

A Leader of Opposition gets to:

• Sits in front row to left of Chair

• Serve as voice of opposition in the house

• Represent oppo. in high powered committees that appoints directors of CBI, CVC, CIC.

• He also holds key positions at National human rights commission.

The privileges he is entitles to makes him the 7th most powerful man in the country in terms of precedence.

The hierarchy also includes

• National security advisor of India

• Former Prime ministers

• Vice Chair of NITI Aayog

• Principal Secretary to PM

• CMs (within their respective states)