On 25 June 2024, the Congress party announced Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the 18th Lok Sabha. Rahul Gandhi is won from Raebareli constituency.
The position of LoP had been vacant since 2014, as no opposition party met the required minimum of 10% of the total Lok Sabha seats.
The LoP is recognized as the leader of the largest opposition party with not less than one-tenth of the Lok Sabha seats. The Congress party secured 100 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, an improvement from 52 seats in 2019.
The LoP is a member of crucial committees such as Public Accounts (Chairman), Public Undertakings, Estimates, and various Joint Parliamentary Committees.
The LoP is entitled to membership in selection committees for heads of statutory bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission, Central Information Commission, CBI, NHRC, and Lokpal.
The LoP in both Houses were accorded statutory recognition under the Salaries and Allowances of Leader of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977, with salary and allowances equivalent to a cabinet minister. The office of the LoP is not mentioned in the Constitution.
Q: Who was appointed as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the 18th Lok Sabha on 25 June 2024?
A) Mallikarjun Kharge
B) Sonia Gandhi
C) Rahul Gandhi
D) KC Venugopal
Ans : C) Rahul Gandhi
Q: Why was the position of Leader of Opposition vacant for 2014 to 2024?
A) No opposition party met the required minimum of 10% of the total Lok Sabha seats
B) The position was abolished
C) The ruling party opposed the appointment
D) There was a lack of eligible candidates
Ans : A) No opposition party met the required minimum of 10% of the total Lok Sabha seats
The position of LoP had been vacant since 2014, as no opposition party met the required minimum of 10% of the total Lok Sabha seats.
