Congress To Choose Leader Of Opposition: Will Rahul Gandhi Take Charge?

The Congress party will decide today who will lead its MPs in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.

Reports indicate that several Congress leaders are likely to urge Rahul Gandhi to take on the crucial role of Leader of Opposition.

Rahul Gandhi is being credited with the party's success in winning 99 seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections, a significant improvement from the 52 seats won in 2019. Party members attribute this success to his two yatras.

"In the CWC meeting, we will review the Congress party's performance in the 2024 elections. In the CPP meeting at 5:30 pm, the party will elect the CPP chairperson. Many of us believe Rahul Gandhi should lead in the Lok Sabha. If he accepts, he will be the Leader of Opposition, heading the 234 INDIA bloc MPs. The BJP has lost its majority as the single largest party. Their reliance on Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar is crucial for forming the government. INDIA alliance leaders have decided to adopt a wait-and-watch approach and will decide at the appropriate time," said Congress leader Manickam Tagore.

According to ANI, Sonia Gandhi is likely to be re-elected as the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) during a meeting of party MPs.

There will be a strong push for Rahul Gandhi, who won the Lok Sabha seats from both Wayanad and Raebareli, to accept the post. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Party has the authority to name the party leaders in both Houses of Parliament. Previously, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury held the Leader of Opposition role but will need a replacement after losing to TMC's Yusuf Pathan.

The decision on the Leader of Opposition may be taken later.

Sonia Gandhi is a member of the Rajya Sabha, while Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge is the Leader of Opposition in the upper house.

Congress MP Dean Kuriakose also expressed support for Rahul Gandhi.

"The Parliamentary Party will select one leader today. We expect Rahul Gandhi to be the leader. We now have a substantial number and will form a strong opposition. We will fight against the BJP. There is a clear mandate against the BJP and Narendra Modi. Let's see what happens," he added.

The INDIA bloc won 234 seats, while the BJP secured 240. The reduced number of seats means Narendra Modi will need the support of Nitish Kumar and N Chandrababu Naidu.