New Delhi, June 26, 2024 — After a decade-long wait, India's Lok Sabha finally has a Leader of the Opposition. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure in Indian politics and a key member of the Congress Party, has been officially announced as the Leader of the Opposition. This significant development was reported by NDTV.

The announcement came late Tuesday night (June 25) from the Congress-led opposition alliance, "India," with Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal confirming the decision.

Rahul Gandhi's nomination was initially proposed on Saturday (June 22), where he received unanimous support from his party. The final decision followed discussions with other members of the "India" alliance, underscoring a collective agreement on his leadership.

According to the Indian Constitution, a party must secure at least 10 percent of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha to claim the post of Leader of the Opposition. However, since 2014, no opposition party had achieved the necessary 54 seats, leaving the Lok Sabha without an opposition leader for two consecutive terms.

This scenario changed with the recent elections, where the Congress Party won 99 seats, surpassing the required threshold and ending the decade-long absence of a formal opposition leader in the Lok Sabha.

Rahul Gandhi's appointment as Leader of the Opposition marks a pivotal moment in Indian politics, providing the opposition with a stronger voice and a more structured leadership in the parliament. This development is expected to impact the legislative process and political dynamics significantly, as Gandhi is known for his active engagement in political discourse and his commitment to addressing national issues.

The return of a formal opposition leader is likely to enhance parliamentary debates and contribute to a more balanced democratic process in India.