August 18, 2026 08:29 am (IST)
LS Speaker denies Leader of Opposition post to Congress
New Delhi, Aug 19 (IBNS): Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has officially declined the Congress party's request for the post of the Leader of the Opposition in Lower House as it lacks the number of required seats for the same.
In her ruling, the Speaker reportedly said there are two conditions required to be fulfilled for appointment as the Leader of Opposition -- that one has to be a recognised party, and it should have 55 members in the House.
But the Congress does not fulfil the second condition as it has only 44 MPs in the Lok Sabha, which is less than one tenth of the total strength of the House required for the same.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi had earlier said the Leader of Opposition post should go to Congress party, after their electoral drubbing at the hands of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Gandhi said as the largest party it should get the status.
Congress earlier indicated they could even go to court over the issue.
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