SC dismisses plea against AG's opinion on LOP issue

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea against Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi's opinion on the Leader of Opposition issue where the latter had stated that the Congress Party had no claim to the position in the Lok Sabha.

Rohatgi had conveyed his views to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan after she had sought his opinion on the matter.

There has been a tussle going on between the government and the Congress on the issue of Leader of the Opposition in the lower house of parliament ever since the 16th Lok Sabha came into its existence.

Though having the largest contingent among the opposition, Congress with 44 members falls short of the requirement. As per rules, any party needs to bag at least 10% of the total seats for its leader to claim the status of the leader of the opposition.