The Centre has been given four weeks to furnish its response. Posting the case for final disposal for 9 September, SC said the issue cannot be prolonged as the LoP has an important role under the Lok Pal Act, which cannot be put in cold storage. The apex court said that the matter needs objective consideration.
Earlier this week, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had rejected the Congress’ demand for the post of Leader of Opposition. She said, according to rules, a party is eligible for the post only if it has at least 55 seats in the Lower House. The Congress has 44. The Congress had claimed that as the single-largest opposition party, its floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, should be recognised as Leader of Opposition.
The Congress has welcomed the Supreme Court observations on the issue. Party leader Anand Sharma said that the apex court’s observation is correct. ‘The Supreme Court’s observation has actually vindicated what the Congress and the UPA have been saying throughout. The decision of the Speaker was in utter disregard to law and appears to be clearly influenced and coloured by the partisan agenda of the BJP-led government,’ said Sharma.
His colleague Manish Tewari said: ‘Opposition is the essence of democracy, and if the government is choosing to ignore the position of Leader of Opposition, it is an assault on democracy. It is incumbent upon the government to reply to the court.’
Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav said both the ruling party and the opposition are the voice of people and the government must find a solution to this matter.
Meanwhile, the BJP said people do not want to give the Leader of Opposition post to the Congress as they have given only 44 seats to the party in the 543-member house. Party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters in New Delhi that peoples’ verdict in a democracy should
be respected.
Earlier this week, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had rejected the Congress’ demand for the post of Leader of Opposition. She said, according to rules, a party is eligible for the post only if it has at least 55 seats in the Lower House. The Congress has 44. The Congress had claimed that as the single-largest opposition party, its floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, should be recognised as Leader of Opposition.
The Congress has welcomed the Supreme Court observations on the issue. Party leader Anand Sharma said that the apex court’s observation is correct. ‘The Supreme Court’s observation has actually vindicated what the Congress and the UPA have been saying throughout. The decision of the Speaker was in utter disregard to law and appears to be clearly influenced and coloured by the partisan agenda of the BJP-led government,’ said Sharma.
His colleague Manish Tewari said: ‘Opposition is the essence of democracy, and if the government is choosing to ignore the position of Leader of Opposition, it is an assault on democracy. It is incumbent upon the government to reply to the court.’
Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav said both the ruling party and the opposition are the voice of people and the government must find a solution to this matter.
Meanwhile, the BJP said people do not want to give the Leader of Opposition post to the Congress as they have given only 44 seats to the party in the 543-member house. Party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters in New Delhi that peoples’ verdict in a democracy should
be respected.