SC made no observation against me, says Speaker

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Saturday defended her decision to reject the Congress’ demand to recognise its leader Mallikarjun Kharge as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP).

Her comments come a day after the Supreme Court said it would interpret the provision of the LoP in the context of making appointments to statutory bodies.

“The Supreme Court has questioned the Centre on the issue of the Lokpal’s appointment in the absence of the Leader of the Opposition and the Attorney General will inform the court about the government's stand. It has made no observation against the Speaker,” Mahajan told reporters in Indore.

The apex court’s observation had Congress leaders claiming that its demand for the key post in the Lok Sabha was vindicated and that the Speaker’s decision appeared “coloured by partisan agenda”.

Mahajan said her decision of not according the LoP status to the leader of the Congress party in the House was because the party lacked the requisite numbers. In any case, Mahajan said, the Opposition does exist in the Lok Sabha and it is doing its work properly, except for the fact that there is no Leader of the Opposition.