Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday formally took over as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The seat was hitherto held by senior BJP leader L. K. Advani.
Speaker Meira Kumar introduced Ms. Swaraj to the House soon after obituary references. Members, including United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi, welcomed Ms. Swaraj by thumping the desk.
Ms. Kumar thanked Mr. Advani for extending his cooperation in conducting the business of the House “in a healthy and fruitful manner.”
In her opening remarks, Ms. Swaraj reiterated that the Opposition wanted the House to function, but added that it was coincidence — a bad one — that she had to seek an adjournment motion to discuss the issue of price rise that was impacting the entire nation.
Ms. Swaraj, who represents Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, has been the Chief Minister of Delhi and a Union Minister during the National Democratic Alliance regime.
