Opposition objects as govt tries to change LoP definition

With the selection procedure for the next CBI chief being stalled as the post of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha is vacant, the NDA government on Tuesday introduced a bill to “enlarge” the definition of the post amid uproar on Tuesday.

When Minister of State for Department of Personnel and Training Jitendra Singh introduced the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2014, in the Lok Sabha, Congress, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress members refused to participate in the afternoon debate and walked out of the House.

The government brought in the bill as it does not want vacancy or absence of a member in the CBI chief selection panel, of which one is the LoP, to stall procedures. The bill seeks to amend “Section 4A”, which pertains to the definition of “leader of opposition” in the Lok Sabha, as  the government has maintained that no party got enough seats to become true claimant for the post of LoP. In case there is no LoP, the legislation states that the leader of the single largest opposition party in the House.