Rahul Gandhi will be the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, the Congress announced on Tuesday.
The announcement was made after a meeting of the floor leaders of the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) grouping at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s official residence.
The decision came on a day when Mr. Gandhi took oath as an MP for the fifth consecutive term. This is the first constitutional position that Mr. Gandhi would be holding in his 20-year-old political career.
As LoP, Mr. Gandhi is likely to open the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President for her address to the join session of Parliament when the Lok Sabha takes it up later this week or next week.
The LoP, enjoying the rank of a Cabinet Minister, is also on the selection panel for key official appointments such as Election Commissioner, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director, Central Vigilance Commissioner and National Human Rights Commission chief.