Congress leaders want Lok Sabha polls hero Rahul Gandhi to become Leader of Opposition

Rahul Gandhi had stepped down as the Congress president after the party's drubbing in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Updated on: Jun 6, 2024, 15:24:45 IST

By HT News Desk

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With 99 seats in the Lok Sabha amid a strong showing by INDIA bloc in the general elections, the Congress is now entitled to claim the post of Leader of Opposition in the parliament. As a result, clamours are growing louder for Rahul Gandhi to take up the coveted post.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Reuters)

Earlier in the day, Congress MP-elect Manickam Tagore in a post on X urged the former party president to be the leader of Congress in the lower house.

“I sought votes on the name of my leader, Rahul Gandhi. I think he should be the Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha. I hope elected Congress MPs also think the same. Let’s see how the Congress Parliamentary Party decides. We are a Democratic Party,” Tagore, who won from Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu, said.

ALSO READ: How Rahul Gandhi turned the tide in favour of Congress, INDIA bloc alliance

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha also echoed the same sentiments, saying,"Rahul ji led the campaign frontally. He was the face. He is duty bound to take on the mantle of Lok Sabha parliamentary party leadership. @RahulGandhi cannot take all decisions about himself. Some decisions the party leaders / MPs have to take. Surely will be a unanimous choice."

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said,"...I think the slot will come to the Congress. In my personal opinion, Rahul Gandhi himself must take up the leader of opposition on behalf of Congress."

Rahul Gandhi, who had stepped down as the Congress president after the grand old party's drubbing in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is being credited by the party for the stunning comeback in 2024.

ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi never stopped fighting for truth, says Priyanka Gandhi

Not just Congress leaders, even Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut praised Gandhi. “If Rahul Gandhi is ready to accept the leadership, why would we object? He has proven himself as a national leader for multiple times. He is one of the popular leaders. We all want him and love him. There is no objection and difference in the alliance,” Raut said at a press conference.

Ever since he made his political debut in 2004, the 53-year-old leader has not held any constitutional post even when his party was in power.

Last year he was expelled from Parliament due to a defamation case after the BJP accused him of mocking the prime minister's surname. He was later returned to his seat by the Supreme Court.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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