It is a fact that the norm set by the Congress governments in 1952, 1957, 1971, 1980 and 1984, and the 10 per cent rule, do not support the case for granting the Leader of the Opposition post to the Congress Legislature Party leader (“Debate over a critical office,” July 29). Yet, the Congress got more than 19 per cent of the total votes in the 2014 elections, as against the BJP’s share of 31 per cent. The Congress is a national party with a pan-Indian presence, and as the erstwhile ruling party it can be of help to the governing coalition on issues of importance. The BJP can be magnanimous in its hour of victory and give the post of the LoP to the Congress.
P. Esakki Muthu,Chennai
As the Editorial rightly says, “Some of the relevant Acts do say that where no person has been recognised as the LoP, the leader of the opposition party with the largest numerical strength may play that role.” The BJP government will be remembered as a party with great wisdom if it makes a member of the Congress the Leader of the Opposition.
Thomas Edmunds,Chennai
The Speaker should recognise the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha as the Opposition leader. An effective leader of the opposition will act as a check, and balance the numerical superiority of the ruling party.
D.B.N. Murthy,Bangalore
There may be legal ambiguity over the appointment of the LoP in the Lok Sabha. But it is the BJP’s triumphalism that is coming in the way of according the LoP status to the Congress. A government without an effective LoP is bound to make mistakes and perish on its own without even a villain to blame, as mentioned in Thirukkural . One hopes Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will override her party’s view and set a precedent by according the LoP status to the Congress.
A. Jainulabdeen,Chennai
The Congress got a drubbing in the general elections. Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu rightly said people do not want the party to have a leader of the opposition. The Congress should understand the level of public anger against it.
K. Ramakrishna,Bangalore
