Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will now be the Leader of Opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha of the country. The role of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament is much more than that of any ordinary MP. Let us tell you what powers Rahul Gandhi has got after becoming the Leader of Opposition and how he will now be able to give his opinion to PM Modi on many issues.
Powers of the Leader of Opposition
In 1977, the post of Leader of Opposition was recognized under parliamentary laws. If we talk about the salary and allowances of the MP holding this post, then it is at the level of a Cabinet Minister. Along with this, you can also see the role of the Leader of Opposition in those committees which appoint the Central Vigilance Director, CBI Director, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner, Chief Information Commissioner, Lokayukta and Chairperson and members of the National Human Rights Commission. Apart from this, the Leader of Opposition is the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee to keep an eye on the government’s expenses.
What facilities will be provided?
After becoming the Leader of Opposition, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will get facilities and salary equal to that of a Union Minister. Let us tell you, the Leader of Opposition gets about Rs 3.30 lakh including salary and allowances. Along with this, the Leader of Opposition is provided with a residence of the level of a Union Minister and a car of the same level. Apart from this, the Leader of Opposition also gets a staff of 14 people and security on the lines of a Cabinet Minister.
Who can become the Leader of Opposition?
The Leader of Opposition can become an MP from only that opposition party which has won 10 percent of the total 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. That is, the Leader of Opposition will be from that party which has at least 55 MPs in the House. Let us tell you that this time Congress has 99 MPs. However, in the year 2019, Congress had only 52 MPs and in 2014 only 44. This was the reason why the seat of Leader of Opposition was vacant in these 16th and 17th Lok Sabha.
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