Speaker to decide LoP status to Cong: Pralhad Joshi

Hubballi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the decision on whether the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post in Parliament be given to the Congress will be taken by the new speaker.

Addressing presspersons here Prahalad Joshi said, “The Union government has not yet decided in this regard. There are set rules and precedents regarding giving LoP post to the largest opposition party. The government will follow the rules,” he said.

Reacting to Rajya Sabha member and AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s recent statement that he would approach the court if the government denies LoP to the Congress, which has 52 seats in Lok Sabha he said, “There is no need for the Congress to jump the gun early.”

He further added, ” There is no need for the Congress to jump the gun early,” he said

The largest Opposition party in the House needs at least 10% of the total strength of the House (54 members) to be eligible for the post of LoP. The Congress is two short of the mark.