LEADER OF OPPOSITION -
POLITY
News: Opposition’s larger
demography, Leader of the Opposition’s big responsibility
What's in the news?
●
For a decade, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
remained vacant due to the absence of any party meeting the customary threshold
of one-tenth of the House's strength, now filled by Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi.
Leader of Opposition in
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha:
Legal Definition:
●
According to the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977,
the Leader of the Opposition is a member of the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha who leads the largest party in opposition to
the government, recognised by the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya
Sabha).
Required Strength:
●
The leader must lead the party with the greatest numerical strength among the
opposition parties in the respective House.
Recognition:
●
The Speaker
(Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha) is mandated to recognize the leader
of the largest opposition party as the Leader of the Opposition, irrespective of the party having a minimum
threshold of 10% seats in the House.
Significance in Indian
Political Democracy:
1. Voice of the
Opposition:
●
The Leader of the Opposition serves as the primary
spokesperson for the opposition in the House, articulating their views,
criticisms, and alternative policies to those of the government.
2. Role in Committees:
●
The Leader of Opposition plays a crucial role in
high-powered committees responsible for appointments to key posts like the Director of CBI, Central Vigilance
Commissioner, and others. This ensures a bipartisan approach in crucial
appointments.
3. Ceremonial Role:
●
The Leader of Opposition enjoys ceremonial
privileges such as sitting in the front
row during important occasions like the President's Address to Parliament,
symbolizing their role as a significant political figure.
4. Constitutional Checks
and Balances:
●
By providing an institutionalized position for the
opposition, the Leader of Opposition ensures checks and balances on the ruling
party's power, fostering democratic accountability and oversight.
5. Precedence and
Protocol:
●
In the order of precedence, the Leader of
Opposition ranks alongside Union Cabinet
Ministers and other senior officials, reflecting their role in the
functioning of the parliamentary democracy.