NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been appointed the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the 18th Lok Sabha, announced the party, Congress announced on Tuesday after the meeting of floor leaders of the INDIA bloc.
“Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) wrote to Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, informing him of the decision to appoint Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha,” senior party leader KC Venugopal told reporters after the meeting.
He said the decision on other appointments will be decided later.
The announcement comes after the meeting of floor leaders of the INDIA bloc at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Earlier, the Congress Working Committee had unanimously voted to recommend Gandhi to lead the opposition in the Lok Sabha, soon after the election results. Gandhi, however, at that time had said he will decide on it later.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Congress emerged as the single largest party in the INDIA bloc by winning 99 Lok Sabha seats. A party needs to cross 55-member mark to stake a claim for the LoP post.
Rahul’s appointment amid INDIA bloc’s first challenge to the PM Modi-led NDA government in Lok Sabha for the post of the Speaker. The NDA has once again nominated Om Birla for the post and the INDIA bloc has fielded K Suresh. The voting for the post will be held at 11 am on Wednesday.
“Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) wrote to Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, informing him of the decision to appoint Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha,” senior party leader KC Venugopal told reporters after the meeting.
He said the decision on other appointments will be decided later.
The announcement comes after the meeting of floor leaders of the INDIA bloc at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Earlier, the Congress Working Committee had unanimously voted to recommend Gandhi to lead the opposition in the Lok Sabha, soon after the election results. Gandhi, however, at that time had said he will decide on it later.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Congress emerged as the single largest party in the INDIA bloc by winning 99 Lok Sabha seats. A party needs to cross 55-member mark to stake a claim for the LoP post.
Rahul’s appointment amid INDIA bloc’s first challenge to the PM Modi-led NDA government in Lok Sabha for the post of the Speaker. The NDA has once again nominated Om Birla for the post and the INDIA bloc has fielded K Suresh. The voting for the post will be held at 11 am on Wednesday.