Bharatiya Janata Party-BJP has been able to form the government for the third time in a row with the support of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) alliance after winning the Lok Sabha elections of India in 2024.
The party also won the 16th Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and the 17th Lok Sabha elections in 2019 with a single majority. In the previous two elections, the BJP formed the government with the BJP-led NDA alliance.
But the party did not get 272 seats as a single party in the 18th Lok Sabha elections of 2024. After getting 240 seats, BJP formed the government through compromise with the alliance partners.
Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh and Nitishkumar, the leader of the JD (U) or Janata Dal (United) in Bihar played a key role in this. Besides, smaller parties also played a role in forming the BJP government.
From 2014 to 2019, the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, was without an opposition party for 10 consecutive years. In order to sit in the Lok Sabha, the opposition party needs to win at least 55 seats out of the total 543 Lok Sabha seats which is a percentage of 10 percent of the votes.
The All India National Congress Party has played a role as the main force against the government outside Parliament for these 10 years. However, the party won the status of the opposition party by getting 99 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
On June 26 (Wednesday), Om Birla was elected as the new Speaker of the Lok Sabha by voice vote of the NDA alliance. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also elected as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.
In 2024, Rahul Gandhi was elected as Lok Sabha member from Rai Barili in Amethi and Wanda in Kerala.
Handbook on Opposition Leadership:
In 2012, the National Parliament published a booklet on the role of the Leader of the Opposition in India's Lok Sabha. It says that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will be the 'Shadow Prime Minister of the Shadow Cabinet'. If the ruling party loses the no-confidence vote in the parliament, then he will be the next head of government subject to proof of majority.
The booklet also said that the Leader of the Opposition is not a constitutional post. However, his opinion will be important in appointing key government posts.
As such, Rahul Gandhi will have a special role in taking important decisions of the government as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. 10 years from 2014 to 2024, the decisions that BJP could have taken as a single majority party, will not dominate in 2024 Lok Sabha. The decision imposed by them will be undermined by the election of Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition.
All the powers that the leader of the opposition has:
According to the Constitution of India, as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the role that Rahul Gandhi can play in the decision-making of the government is-
1. Opposing the decision of the government, raising questions
Even if he cannot prevent the implementation of the government's decision, the opposition leader can make him accountable in the parliament. That means the government can't unilaterally implement any decision without challenge.
2. The Shadow Cabinet is the responsibility of the Shadow Prime Minister
If for some reason the Prime Minister in the government fails to fulfill the duties given by the state and loses the vote of no confidence in the parliament, then his party can form the government in the interest of the country subject to proof of majority in the parliament. That is why the opposition leader of the parliament will perform the duties of 'Shadow Prime Minister by forming the shadow cabinet' during the time of the leader of the opposition.
3. Call for debate on important issues
If the leader of the opposition feels that the government wants to bypass the parliament to implement a decision out of fear of criticism, then the leader of the opposition can invite the government to debate it in the parliament.
4. Advising the Prime Minister on policy decisions
The Prime Minister will take joint decisions in determining foreign relations and national security or in times of crisis of the nation by discussing with the opposition leader because, the opposition leader acts as a symbol of the unity of the country. That is why the commitment of the opposition leader is also necessary during the country's crisis.
5. Criticism of the government
Leaders of opposition parties can criticize the government in parliament or while traveling abroad. But then he cannot do 'party politics'.
6. Spokesperson for Minorities
According to the pamphlet published by the Parliament, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will be the spokesperson for the protection of minority rights and justice. As such, he will fulfill that responsibility.
7. Decision maker in appointment to important posts
The opposition leader has the opportunity to play a very important role in the appointment of important government posts. These include opinions on the appointment of the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the appointment of the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission and the appointment of the National Inspectorate.
Also has the opportunity to serve as an important member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts, Public Undertakings, Accounts and Joint Parliamentary Committees as Leader of Opposition.
It is not conceivable that Rahul Gandhi will easily allow the BJP to take a single decision, given the opportunity to perform such an important role as the Leader of the Opposition in India's Lok Sabha.
The party leaders had to make a lot of statements in BJP's election rally due to the criticism of the 'India' bloc while they were already out of Parliament. It can be easily guessed that the BJP will be like this in the fierce criticism and arguments of the Lok Sabha opposition! Time will tell the rest, how successful Rahul Gandhi!