Rahul Gandhi’s 7 BIG responsibilities as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha: ‘Shadow Prime Minister’ must oppose but…

With great power comes great responsibility. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who took over as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the 18th Parliament, has a slew of roles and responsibilities.

During Wednesday’s parliament session, Gandhi made his debut as leader of the opposition – a position equivalent to the rank of a minister. It was only after 10 years that the Lok Sabha got an opposition leader after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Follow LIVE updates on the Lok Sabha Speaker Elections

What role will Rahul Gandhi play as leader of the opposition?

1. Oppose/question government policies

If the Leader of the Opposition allows the Prime Minister to govern, he in turn can oppose the work of Parliament, but cannot obstruct its work by slogans or in any other way.

One of the main roles of the Leader of the Opposition is to “effectively” challenge government policy. The role of the leader of the opposition is actually very demanding as he or she must ensure that the government is accountable to the legislature and the public and present alternatives to the government’s proposals/policies.

“His/her active role in facilitating the smooth functioning of the House is as important as the role of the Government,” reads the booklet “Parliament of India”.

2. The leader of the opposition is the shadow of the prime minister

The opposition leader “is a shadow prime minister” with a “shadow cabinet” – prepared to take responsibility for forming a government if his party wins a majority in the election or if the incumbent government resigns or is defeated.

The government document says the leader of the opposition must therefore choose his words and actions carefully and act with the same responsibility expected of the prime minister in matters of national interest.

3. Demand debates

If the Leader of the Opposition believes that “the Government is trying to gloss over an important issue and shun parliamentary criticism”, he may rightly demand a debate on the issue.

4. The Prime Minister may consult the Leader of the Opposition on policy

On matters such as foreign relations and defense policy, the Prime Minister may sometimes consult the Leader of the Opposition before making a commitment.

“In times of serious national crisis, the leader of the opposition usually emphasizes the unity of the nation on a given issue, openly identifying with the government’s policy,” we read in the government document.

5. The Leader of the Opposition must refrain from party politics while abroad

According to the document, the opposition leader can sharply criticize the government in the House and outside it in his country. However, when he is abroad, he should avoid party politics.

6. Official minority spokesman

The leader of the opposition is said to be the official spokesman for a minority or minority. They must demand justice and take action when their rights are violated.

7. Role in key appointments

As the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi can join the committees responsible for the appointment process of officials such as the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, the chief election commissioners, the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission and the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. According to NDTV, the chief vigilance commissioner .

The Opposition Leader is also a member of key committees such as Public Accounts, Public Enterprises, Estimates and several joint parliamentary committees.

Salary and facilities provided to the opposition leader

Leaders of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were given statutory recognition and were granted remuneration and certain other facilities and facilities under the Remuneration and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.

Under the 1977 Act, every leader of the opposition is entitled to receive “a wages and allowances for each day at the same rates as set out in s. 3 of the Remuneration, Allowances and Pensions of Members of Parliament Act 1954, with respect to Members of Parliament.

Currently, the Salaries, Allowances and Pensions of Members of Parliament 1954 have been amended from the Finance Act 2018. The changes come into force from April 2018 and were to be updated every five years from 1 April 2023 .based on the Cost Inflation Index.

This is what MPs in our parliament receive:

Remuneration: ₹1 lakh per month

Daily diet: ₹2,000 per day for each day he stays in Delhi on duty.

Constituency allowance: ₹70,000 per month.

Furniture allowance: ₹1 lakh (of which ₹80,000 for durable goods and ₹20,000 for non-durable goods)

Office expenses allowance: ₹60,000 per month (including, among others, ₹20,000 is expenses for meetings, stationery and postage)

Some amenities provided The Leader of the Opposition includes:

(i) A seat in the Lok Sabha in the first row on the left of the Speaker, next to the seat of the Deputy Speaker

(ii) Parliament Room with Secretariat and other facilities.

(iii) The Leader of the Opposition also enjoys certain privileges on ceremonial occasions, such as (i) escorting the Speaker-elect to the podium; and (ii) front-row seats during the President’s speeches to both Houses of Parliament.