New Delhi, 27 June 2024 – Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, has officially taken his seat as the Leader of the Opposition in the lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha. This significant development occurred during the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Upon assuming his new role, Gandhi immediately challenged the Modi government and demanded the right to speak. This marks the first time in a decade that the position of Leader of the Opposition has been filled, as no opposition party had previously met the minimum criteria required for the post.

In addition to his parliamentary duties, Gandhi will now be involved in the selection process for key officials such as the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Chief Election Commissioner, and the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission. These appointments are finalized by a three-member committee comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition.

Rahul Gandhi is the third member of the Gandhi family to hold this prestigious position. His father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, served as Leader of the Opposition from 1989-90, and his mother, Sonia Gandhi, held the post during the Vajpayee government from 1999-2004.

As the Leader of the Opposition, Gandhi will enjoy the rank of a Cabinet Minister and will have an office and staff in Parliament House. On his first day, he deviated from his usual attire and appeared in a traditional white kurta-pajama.

In a rare moment of camaraderie, Gandhi extended his seat to congratulate new Speaker Om Birla and shook hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his address, Gandhi emphasized the crucial role of the Speaker in representing the voice of the people and highlighted the importance of allowing the opposition to be heard.

"The question is not how efficiently Parliament is run. The question is to what extent India's voice is being allowed to be heard. So the idea that you can effectively run the House by silencing the voices of the opposition is an undemocratic idea," Gandhi stated.

He further added, "This election has shown that the people of India expect the opposition to protect the Constitution. We are confident that by allowing the opposition to speak, you will uphold the Constitution."

With Rahul Gandhi's new role, the Congress party aims to strengthen its presence in Parliament and ensure that the voices of the opposition are effectively represented.