New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today said her party should get the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Sonia Gandhi said that they were entitled to get the post as they are the single largest party and have a pre-poll alliance.
The Congress is the second largest party in the Lok Sabha with 44 seats. However, it does not have 10% of the strength of the 545-member House, which Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has cited as mandatory as per rules for getting the Leader of Opposition status to its leader in the lower house.
Asked what action she would take if the government refused, Gandhi said: Let’s see.
Government has no reservation on any issue. We are willing to discuss each and every issue of national importance,” Naidu told reporters after the meeting which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The breakfast meeting convened by Naidu was also attended by finance minister Arun Jaitley and home minister Rajnath Singh and 45 leaders of various parties including Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Prime Minister H D Devegowda.
Responding to questions over Nath’s remarks on the LOP issue, Naidu said, “It is unfortunate that such a comment has been made by a senior leader like Kamal Nath. He must have made such a comment based on his own experience. The matter will be dealt by the Speaker according to the rulebook and the precedent.
The Speaker is above the party.” Nath had yesterday said that the Lok Sabha Speaker’s decision on the issue of Leader of Opposition in Lower House could be “flavoured” by BJP and Narendra Modi.
Bureau Report
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