Rahul Gandhi, poised to assume the role of Leader of the Opposition, becomes the third member of the Gandhi family to hold this significant position.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is set to become the Leader of the Opposition, shook hands in parliament today as they welcomed the re-elected Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, marking a new chapter in the 18th Lok Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi is the third member of the Gandhi family to hold the position of Leader of the Opposition. He follows in the footsteps of his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who served from 1999 to 2004, and his father, Rajiv Gandhi, who held the role from 1989 to 1990.
Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab announced the election results after the Opposition, which had nominated Congress MP K Suresh as its candidate, decided not to push for a vote on the motion.
Following the announcement, Prime Minister Modi, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Rahul Gandhi, approached Mr. Birla’s seat in the front row of the treasury benches to escort him to the Speaker’s chair.
“It is an honor that you have been elected to this chair for the second time,” PM Modi said, congratulating Mr. Birla. “I congratulate you on behalf of the entire House and look forward to your guidance for the next five years. Your sweet smile keeps the entire House happy.”
“I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the entire opposition and the INDIA alliance,” said Rahul Gandhi. “You are the final arbiter of the people’s voice. The government may have political power, but the Opposition also represents the voice of the people. We are confident you will allow us to speak in the House.”
The history of the Leader of the Opposition in India dates back to 1969 when Ram Subhag Singh first held the post. Since then, the role has evolved to become a cornerstone of parliamentary democracy. The Leader of the Opposition plays a crucial part in the appointment of key officials such as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), and members of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Lokayukta.
