New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi will lead the opposition in the Lok Sabha, following an announcement by Sonia Gandhi on behalf of the alliance. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal confirmed that a letter has been sent to pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mehtab to formalize this decision. This marks Rahul Gandhi’s return to Parliament as the Leader of the Opposition after a decade. The Congress Party, having secured 99 seats, has achieved official opposition status, a significant increase from the 42 seats won in 2014 and 55 seats in 2019.
Earlier in the day, INDIA Alliance leaders met at the residence of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss Rahul Gandhi’s new role and the upcoming Speaker election.
The Lok Sabha is currently facing contention over the Speaker election, scheduled for tomorrow at 11 AM. This election is the first of its kind in nearly 50 years, previously occurring only twice in history, during the Emergencies of 1952 and 1976.
The NDA alliance sought a consensus candidate, but the Indian Alliance stipulated support only if the Deputy Speaker position were given to the opposition. With the NDA rejecting this condition, the Indian Alliance nominated Suresh Kodikunnil, while the NDA put forward former Speaker Om Birla, making the election inevitable.
In this context, Rahul Gandhi’s role is crucial in unifying the INDIA Alliance leaders. Having served as an MP five times, he currently represents Rae Bareli and has also won from Wayanad, although he recently resigned from the latter seat.
Rahul Gandhi to lead opposition in Lok Sabha
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