Rahul Gandhi to continue championing public voice in parliament: Ashok Bhan
Srinagar: Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and geo-political analyst, Ashok Bhan, has affirmed that Rahul Gandhi will continue to be the voice of the people in Indian Parliament as the Leader of the Opposition.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a statement, Bhan noted: “This pivotal role has historically been held by members of his family, with Rajiv Gandhi assuming it in 1989-90, and Sonia Gandhi from 1999-2004. While not a constitutional position, the role of Leader of the Opposition bestows upon Rahul Gandhi certain privileges, including involvement in the appointment process for civil servants and public officials. He will influence the appointment of key bureaucrats and be a member of critical committees such as Public Accounts, Public Undertakings, Estimates, and various Joint Parliamentary Committees.”
Additionally, Gandhi will be part of the selection committees responsible for appointing heads of statutory bodies like the Central Vigilance Commission, the Central Information Commission, the Central Bureau of Investigation, the National Human Rights Commission of India, and the Lokpal. “In the absence of a formally recognized Leader of the Opposition, the leader of the largest opposition party is included in the selection committee according to the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003. Rahul Gandhi’s presence ensures the opposition’s participation in essential decisions, despite the government’s 2-1 advantage on most selection panels,” Bhan added.
The statement further explains that as Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi holds the rank of a Cabinet minister, complete with an office and staff within the Parliament building.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge praised the decision, expressing confidence in Gandhi’s capability to represent the marginalized and the impoverished. Leaders from various political parties welcomed Rahul Gandhi’s acceptance of the position, anticipating he will be a steadfast advocate for the people in Parliament. Congress Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, emphasized that voices previously suppressed will now resound fearlessly through Gandhi.
On his first day in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi remarked that while the ruling coalition is tasked with governing in accordance with the rule of law, the opposition has the duty to voice the concerns of the people and provide checks and balances against the government’s overreach.
Bhan concluded by urging the ruling NDA to transcend coalition constraints and exhibit a democratic and tolerant political demeanor by granting the post of Deputy Speaker to the opposition in the Lok Sabha.
