Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, poised to become Leader of the Opposition, shared a handshake in parliament today as they jointly welcomed the newly re-elected Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, marking a new chapter in the 18th Lok Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi is set to become the third member of the Gandhi family to assume the role of Leader of the Opposition. He follows in the footsteps of his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who held the position from 1999 to 2004, and his father, Rajiv Gandhi, who served as Leader of the Opposition from 1989 to 1990.
After the announcement by Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab of Om Birla’s re-election, Prime Minister Modi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju escorted Birla to the Speaker’s chair, accompanied by Rahul Gandhi.
“I congratulate you on your re-election to this chair for the second time,” PM Modi said, extending his wishes to Mr. Birla. “On behalf of the entire House, I look forward to your guidance over the next five years. Your cheerful demeanor keeps the entire House in good spirits.”
“On behalf of the entire opposition and the INDIA alliance, I congratulate you,” Rahul Gandhi remarked. “You are the ultimate arbitrator of the people’s voice. While the government holds political power, the Opposition also represents the people’s voice. We stand ready to assist you in your duties, and I am confident you will allow us ample opportunity to express ourselves in the House.”
The history of the Leader of the Opposition in India dates back to 1969 when Ram Suhag Singh first held the position. Since then, this role has evolved into a crucial component of parliamentary democracy. The Leader of the Opposition plays a pivotal role in the selection of key officials such as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), and members of bodies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Lokayukta.