The Return of the Leader of Opposition: Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight in the 18th Lok Sabha

The results of the 2024 General Elections have paved the way for the restoration of the post of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the 18th Lok Sabha. With the Indian National Congress securing 99 seats, it has comfortably surpassed the 10% threshold (55 seats) required to claim the position—a milestone that remained unmet during the 16th and 17th Lok Sabhas. The LoP is not merely a symbolic head of the largest opposition party; it is a statutory post recognized under the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention the LoP, the post is central to the 'checks and balances' mechanism of India’s Westminster model of democracy. The LoP is often referred to as the 'shadow Prime Minister,' expected to provide constructive criticism of government policies and present an alternative vision to the electorate.