New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Modi government why the post of Leader of Opposition ( LoP) in the Lok Sabha remained vacant.
The LoP “conveys the voice different from the government” in the House, a bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha said, according to PTI reports.
The SC made the comment while hearing a case filed by a lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan that asks the government to explain the delay in appointing members of the anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal.
The apex court remarked that the LoP is a very important component under the Lokpal law and needed an objective consideration. The LoP is a selection committee member in the appointment of Lokpal.
Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan had last week rejected claims by the Congress that its floor leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge should be appointed the Leader of Opposition. The Speaker cited the rule that a party must have at least 55 members in the House. The Congress has only 44.
The bench also observed that the issue of LoP is relevant not only in Lokpal law but also in other existing and incoming legislations.
The court said the issue cannot be prolonged and the Lokpal law cannot be put in cold storage, and posted the case for final disposal to September 9.