Rahul Gandhi chosen LoP in Lok Sabha, real test begins now

Congress’ Rahul Gandhi has been appointed leader of the opposition (LoP) in India's parliament, filling a post that had been empty for a decade.

For the first time since Prime Minister Narendra Modi entered politics in 2004, his main rival will hold a constitutional role. Gandhi will now participate in committees responsible for key appointments and serve as a counterbalance to the prime minister.

Notably, since 2014, no opposition party had won 10% or 55 of the 543 seats required to claim the post, but Congress took 99 seats in the recently concluded general election.

Although Narendra Modi remains in power for the third consecutive term with help from allies, as his party fell short of a majority.

The Congress party said Rahul Gandhi would ensure the government was held to account at all times.

According to some observers his appointment indicates a positive change for India's democracy - the opposition has repetitively accused the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of authoritarianism, a charge it denies.

"This is going to be a chaotic parliament and the opposition is going to take the government to task," political commentator Neerja Chowdhury said.

Chowdhury said the role would also test Gandhi's mettle as a leader.

Even though Gandhi has been in politics for more than 25 years, and an MP for five terms - he has never been a minister or won a general election for his party.

"He'll have to lead from the front and ensure there are no tangled feathers, within his party or the opposition bloc," Chowdhury said and added, "he will be responsible for what goes wrong and what goes right."

Gandhi was appointed as the leader of the opposition (LoP) on Tuesday, after a meeting with its alliance partners, who together make up the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) opposition bloc.

On Wednesday (June 26), Gandhi made his first appearance in parliament in his new role as LoP.

He congratulated the BJP's Om Birla, who has been appointed Speaker of the House for the second term and assured him of the opposition's support.

"It is important that co-operation happens on the basis of trust. It is very important that the voice of the opposition is allowed to be represented in this House," Rahul Gnadhi said in Lok Sabha.

What posts Rahul Gandhi can decide

Rahul Gandhi as the LoP of Lok Sabha would be a member of significant panels on key appointments of Lokpal, CBI chief, Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, besides the selection of Central Vigilance Commission, the Central Information Commission and the NHRC chief.

The prime minister heads all such panels.

(With inputs from agencies)