LEADER OF OPPOSITION

Indian parliamentary discourse consists of the leader of the opposition along with the leader of the winning party. The leader of the opposition in the Indian polity takes active part in the decision-making process. The leader of the opposition holds an important position and gives a viewpoint on the proposals imposed by the elected government. The main objective of the leader of the opposition is to make the ruling government accountable.

Concept of Leader of opposition

The leader of Opposition in the Indian Constitution is referred to as the leader of the opposition political party in both Houses of the Parliament. In Indian polity, the leader of the opposition is said to be partially responsible for making the government.  Currently, the Lok Sabha house has total number of 543 seats and Rajya Sabha has 243 members.      

The leader of the opposition enjoys certain benefits provided by the Government of India according to The Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act of 1977.  In regard to get informal recognition in either upper or lower houses, the party which is concerned should have at least 10% of the total strength of the house. An individual party has essential criteria in meeting up the 10% seat criterion, not together as an alliance.There are several tasks and activities of Leader of the Opposition that includes chairperson meetings within which the opposition mainly discusses policies, actions and examination of bills. This also helps in presenting alternate policies to the government. Other tasks lie in selecting members of the opposition by various shadow ministers.

In polity, there is a significant position and various propositions that mainly existed in the former Central Legislative Assembly. British India, and numerous holders of it can be included namely  Motilal Nehru. He was the one who mainly received statutory rewards and recognition through the Allowances and Salary of Opposition leaders entitled in Parliament Act, 1977. This completely defines the term “Leader of the Opposition” as that particular member.

Selection of the opposition leader

The leader of the opposition is selected on various grounds. The post of opposition leader within the Parliament is a controversial matter. At the same time, the leader of the opposition is supposed to be a statutory position as per concern of the Indian Constitution. This acts as a great debate and discussion nowadays. Ever since, India’s grand old party INC (Indian National Congress) has not been given the option in appointing a Leader of Opposition at the Lok Sabha for consecutive two terms. Despite having the second highest number of seats   it does not have 10% of all the seats in the Lok Sabha. 

So, it can be simply said that the decision of the Speaker or the opposition leader will be final. Moreover the Speaker of the Lok Sabha has no chance of recognising the post of the opposition leader for any party that does not have a minimum of one-tenth of the sum total number of members of the House.

Is the leader of opposition mentioned in the Constitution?

The leader of the opposition is mentioned in the Constitution of India. The leader of Opposition has an important role to play in the Indian polity. The leader of the opposition questions the ruling party about its decisions taken. The leader of the constitution is mentioned in the Constitution of India as the party that has the strength is not at all equivalent in the respective house of the Indian polity. The leader of the opposition as mentioned in the Constitution can play a strong and powerful role in such a way whoever is ready and in charge to form the government if in any case, the existing government falls.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the leader of the opposition can be defined as the leader of the political party that is in opposition to the ruling party. The leader of the opposition thus can be taken into accumulation by  coming to frame that specific party who can won maximum strength in the election after the winning party in the Indian polity. The role and functions are mentioned in the Constitution of India along with the amenities provided. The leader of the opposition draws a handsome salary and is provided with a residence with certain other benefits.