Q. Consider the following statements:
1.In order to claim the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) position in the Lok Sabha, a party needs to be the largest opposition party and have at least 10% of House members.
2.In India, there is a practice of forming a shadow cabinet.
3.The role of the LoP includes providing checks and balances on the ruling government, ensuring debate, and representing alternative viewpoints.
4.The functions of the LoP are defined in the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. According to the regulations, to be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition, the leader of the largest opposition party must have at least 10% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha. The Leader of the Opposition plays a crucial role in ensuring that the government remains accountable, facilitating debate, and presenting alternative policies and viewpoints.
Statements 2 and 4 are incorrect. India does not have a formal practice of forming a shadow cabinet, unlike some parliamentary systems such as the United Kingdom. The functions of the LoP are not defined in the Lok Sabha rules of procedure. The position of LoP is a statutory post recognized by the Salaries and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977, but its specific functions are not outlined in the Lok Sabha rules.
Source: The Hindu
