Centre against Leader of Opposition from Congress

New Delhi: The suspense over the issue of granting Leader of the Opposition status to the Congress continues, as Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan steered clear of it after an all-party meeting on Saturday ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament from Monday.

Though Ms Mahajan appeared noncommittal to the issue, the government on Saturday appeared in favour of not according the Leader of the Opposition status to the Congress.

A Union minister cited the example of 1984, when the Telugu Desam  was not given the Opposition status.

The minister stressed that the rule had been framed in 1977 to decide on the issue on the basis of a minimum of 10 per cent strength of a party. He also said that as the Congress has not yet staked claim, how could the Lok Sabha Speaker decide on it.

Ms Mahajan, when  asked about the issue, said that the all-party meeting was called to discuss the issues to be raised during the budget session. “The meeting of leaders of political parties was convened to discuss the business of the House,” she said.

Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Saturday that the Congress will comply with all formalities to get the status of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

“We are not just asking for the post for a representative of the party but it is a constitutional requirement in the selection process of several high offices,” Mr Azad said.