NEW DELHI: BJP on Friday claimed opposition INDIA bloc constituents are considering making Leader of Opposition (LoP)’s post in Lok Sabha rotational and said they should go ahead with such a decision if they feel Rahul Gandhi is not able to fulfil his responsibility with dedication.
At a press conference, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said there are many leaders in opposition parties who are “capable” of handling the work of LoP but it is up to them to take a decision as it is their “internal matter”.
While there was no word from Congress till the filing of this report, RSP MP N K Premachandran termed BJP’s claim “baseless” and said the very question of making LoP’s post rotational doesn’t arise.
Experts also said that only an MP from the single largest party in the opposition with at least 10% seats can be appointed as LoP. Rahul has been appointed as LoP in Lok Sabha with Congress being the single largest opposition party in the House. The BJP MP’s remarks came after she was asked to comment on talks about opposition parties considering making LoP’s post rotational in Lok Sabha.
“Yes, absolutely. I have also heard that there is talk of making the post of LoP rotational. But I would politely say that this is an internal matter of the opposition,” Swaraj told reporters at BJP headquarters while replying to the media query.
“There are definitely many leaders in opposition parties who are quite capable of fulfilling the responsibility of LoP. If INDI Alliance feels that Rahul is not able to fulfil his responsibility with complete dedication, they should take such a decision,” she added.
However, Premachandran clarified that there is no such thinking in the INDIA bloc. “It’s impossible. There is not even such thinking. It’s totally baseless,” he said when asked for a comment.
