Congress cannot claim LoP post politically or morally: Sudhanshu Trivedi

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Sunday said the Congress does not have the right to seek the post of the Leader of Opposition morally, politically and constitutionally.

"Congress does not have the required number of seats in the Lok Sabha to be the leader of opposition. Morally, politically and constitutionally the Congress cannot seek the post of LoP," said Trivedi.

"Congress is still arrogant; instead of going by the rules they are trying to claim it as a right," he added.

However, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that if the section 47 act has a provision, according to which the LoP status can be given, the Speaker has to decide what is to be done.

"Tomorrow will meet at 10 at the parliament for decisions. If the Act has a provision according to which the LoP status can be given the Speaker has to decide what is to be done," said Kharge.

"What we are asking for are not ideals. Through section 47 act the largest party has to give first priority," he added.

The Congress has 44 MPs and 59 along with its allies in the Lok Sabha. But according to rule book, a party must have at least 10 percent or 55 MPs, to be considered eligible for the position.

The Congress and its allies have demanded to get one of their leaders designated as the leader of the opposition.

However, it is expected that the Speaker's final decision will be in accordance with the rule book. She is likely to give her ruling before the commencement of the Budget session.