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With uncertainty prevailing over the leader of opposition (LOP) post in the Lok Sabha (LS), the Congress said appointments to important constitutional posts such as Lok Pal, Central Vigilance Commissioner and CBI chief "won't be credible" in the absence of the LOP. A senior Congress leader said, “It is to enhance the credibility of these institutions (CVC, Lok Pal, etc,) that there is a provision that the person appointed to head these posts should have gone through Opposition scrutiny.”
The Lok Sabha Speaker is yet to spell out her decision on the LOP. The Speaker is studying precedents, as no single party has sufficient number in LS to claim the post. The Congress, with 44 seats, has appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as its leader in LS.
On the LOP issue, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkiaah Naidu said, “People have not chosen any Leader of the Opposition and that is the position. If any party had got 55 seats, there would have been no discussion on the issue at all....It is a prerogative of the Speaker.”
It might be recalled that it was then LOP Sushma Swaraj who had vehemently opposed P J Thomas’ appointment as CVC. Ultimately, the Supreme Court struck down the appointment and Swaraj had tweeted: “Dignity of CVC office restored.”
There is also speculation that in the absence of an LOP, changes could be made in the law so that LOP in the Rajya Sabha could be on board in such crucial appointments.
Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad has already been declared LOP in the Rajya Sabha.
A decision on LOP will have to be taken soon, as the appointment of the Lok Pal is long overdue.
