NEW DELHI: Amid elation in the Congress camp over its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, there is a growing desire in the party that Rahul Gandhi take up the post of leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and lead the party from the front in Parliament.
Congress failed to get the top opposition perch after it fell short of numbers in 2014 and 2019 (54 MPs) which would automatically qualify it for the LoP’s post. Mallikarjun Kharge, who is now the Congress president, served as the “party leader in the Lok Sabha” in the first Modi govt, while Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury succeeded him in the last Parliament. With party strength now at 99 excluding two rebels, party members want him to take up the position.
While Congress netas were eager that the Gandhi scion became the face in the LS after the party’s ouster from government in 2014, Rahul repeatedly refused to accede to their entreaties.
However, some feel the situation has changed with Mandate 2024, given that the party has the numbers to get the official position of LoP, which comes with its own perks and status.
Besides, Rahul has in the past few years become the political front representing the opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, which only makes it natural for him to be the LoP.
Also, ten years in the opposition have exhausted all options of replacements, and it is time for Congress’ de facto leader to use the Parliament pulpit for positioning the party and the opposition for coming political battles, it is felt.
A reason claimed earlier was that Rahul was disinclined to be the “leader in LS” because he was the party president, and did not want two responsibilities which come with attendant routine work. However, this Parliament would start without Rahul being the Congress chief — the post that he took over in 2017 and relinquished after the 2019 LS debacle.
“We want him to be the LoP. But there has not been any discussion on it yet. However, this is the feeling in the party,” a key functionary said.
Another crucial decision that Rahul has to take soon is the seat he should quit from LS — Rae Bareli or Wayanad.
Congress failed to get the top opposition perch after it fell short of numbers in 2014 and 2019 (54 MPs) which would automatically qualify it for the LoP’s post. Mallikarjun Kharge, who is now the Congress president, served as the “party leader in the Lok Sabha” in the first Modi govt, while Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury succeeded him in the last Parliament. With party strength now at 99 excluding two rebels, party members want him to take up the position.
While Congress netas were eager that the Gandhi scion became the face in the LS after the party’s ouster from government in 2014, Rahul repeatedly refused to accede to their entreaties.
However, some feel the situation has changed with Mandate 2024, given that the party has the numbers to get the official position of LoP, which comes with its own perks and status.
Besides, Rahul has in the past few years become the political front representing the opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, which only makes it natural for him to be the LoP.
Also, ten years in the opposition have exhausted all options of replacements, and it is time for Congress’ de facto leader to use the Parliament pulpit for positioning the party and the opposition for coming political battles, it is felt.
A reason claimed earlier was that Rahul was disinclined to be the “leader in LS” because he was the party president, and did not want two responsibilities which come with attendant routine work. However, this Parliament would start without Rahul being the Congress chief — the post that he took over in 2017 and relinquished after the 2019 LS debacle.
“We want him to be the LoP. But there has not been any discussion on it yet. However, this is the feeling in the party,” a key functionary said.
Another crucial decision that Rahul has to take soon is the seat he should quit from LS — Rae Bareli or Wayanad.