Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Who will be Leader of the Opposition?' that was published in Newsband

Who will be Leader of the Opposition?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Opposition parties that their numbers in the Lok Sabha would certainly matter when it comes to deciding the Leader of the Opposition. He said he would not offer the official post to the Congress since it has only 52 members as against the requirement of 55. Unlike last time, when the shortfall was by 11 MPs, this time it is only three MPs. But now the government has decided it will not accord the status to a Congress leader

As a member of the selection panel, the Leader of the Opposition has a crucial role in deciding key appointments such as the CBI Director, the Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and the anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal.

Though amid the continuing uncertainty over the continuance of Rahul Gandhi as the Congress chief, the party is yet to choose its leader and deputy leader in the House.

Without opposition, there will not be any growth. If the government wants to be impartial, it must give authorities to the opposition leader as well. Why just make them a rubberstamp? For the countries’ overall progress, opposition must be given value. But some argue that in the recent election, Indian mass have sent a large message that there is no need of opposition. Then, why to witch-hunt an Opposition for the sake of doing? Heavens will not fall if Congress is not given the position of Leader of Opposition in Loksabha.

Congress is better advised to be the leader of masses outside the house than looking for the grace of ruling party to condone the shortfall in number by 3 to get eligibility for that ornamental post. If today Indian electoral system and practices in the parliament became a laughing stock, it is purely because of the rules passed by Congress when it was in absolute power in the early years till 1970s. Unfortunately when some non-Congress hotch potch governments came to power, or when Congress came by adopting alliance Dharma as the key word, the rules could not be changed, and only Election commission showed their controlling power to a certain extent.

But why there should be any concession to parties who could not keep support even to get recognition, like leader of opposition, or National status for many parties etc etc? But Modi might show his magnanimity in selection of LOP. Being the tallest leader of the nation that much could be his grace towards opposition, whoever it might be.

The opposition parties were simply obstructing the Ruling Government during the last five years without having any positive role for the development of the country. They have not respected Constitution, Courts, Government Institutions and finally people's mandate. All the 21 opposition leaders have lost their identity on date. Let them do some positive role as an Opposition, then people will have some faith in them. So many excellent leaders are there in Congress, but many are after Sonia, Rahul, Priyanka. Sonia is an Italian. For 20 years, she was Congress President. It is a laughing stock for the people of India not to elect an Indian as Congress leader. Let Congress awake at least now.