From EC Head To CBI Chief, LoP Rahul Gandhi's Say In Key Postings Matter Now

Rahul Gandhi's new role as the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha marks a key development in Indian politics.

As LoP, Rahul Gandhi will participate in the appointment process for important positions like the CBI director, Chief Election Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission chairperson, and Chief Vigilance Commissioner. This role grants him a say in these crucial appointments, although the Centre maintains a 2-1 advantage in the selection panels.

Rahul Gandhi is the third member of the Gandhi family to hold the position. His father, Rajiv Gandhi, was the Leader of the Opposition from 1989-1990, and his mother, Sonia Gandhi, held the post from 1999-2004.

The Gandhi scion will have the rank of a Cabinet minister, along with an office and staff in the Parliament building. His role involves representing the voice of the Opposition, which is more robust this time compared to the previous two terms, reported NDTV.

In his first appearance in his new role, Gandhi wore a white kurta-pajama instead of his usual white t-shirt and trousers. He congratulated Speaker Om Birla, shook hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and highlighted the role of the Speaker as the final arbiter of the people's voice.

"The Opposition would like to assist you in doing your work. We would like the House to function. It is very important that cooperation happens on the basis of trust. It is very important that the voice of the Opposition is allowed to be represented in this House. The question is not how efficiently the House is run. The question is how much of India's voice is being allowed to be heard. So the idea that you can run the House efficiently by silencing the voice of the Opposition is a non-democratic idea. And this election has shown that the people of India expect the Opposition to defend the Constitution," he said.

"We are confident that by allowing the Opposition to speak, you will do your duty of defending the Constitution," Gandhi added.

Gandhi was elected from two constituencies - Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala. He has vacated the Wayanad seat, and his sister Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra will contest the bypoll for that constituency.

His return to the Lok Sabha and his elevation to this role come after his disqualification as an MP last year due to a conviction in a defamation case, which was paused by the Supreme Court, allowing him to return to Parliament.