Supreme Court seeks government response on Leader of Opposition

The apex court told the government about its worries over the position remaining vacant since it "conveys a voice different from the government's" and hence crucial for democracy.

The court asked the centre of reply on the issue within four weeks, said media reports.

The Congress has claimed the position of Leader of Opposition in Parliament despite having only 44 members in the lower house.

The court made the observations while hearing a petition on Lokpal by senior lawyer and Aam Aadmi Party leader Prashant Bhushan.  
 
Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had officially declined the Congress party's request for the post of the Leader of the Opposition in Lower House as it lacks the number of required seats for the same.

In her ruling, the Speaker reportedly said there are two conditions required to be fulfilled for appointment as the Leader of Opposition -- that one has to be a recognised party, and it should have 55 members in the House.

But the Congress does not fulfil the second condition as it has only 44 MPs in the Lok Sabha, which is less than one tenth of the total strength of the House required for the same.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi had earlier said the Leader of Opposition post should go to Congress party, after their electoral drubbing at the hands of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).  

Gandhi said as the largest party it should get the status.

Congress earlier indicated they could even go to court over the issue.