Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said party general secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday.
This decision was announced after the INDIA bloc floor leaders held a meeting at Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence in Delhi.
"Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the LoP in the Lok Sabha," Venugopal said while addressing the media outside Kharge's residence.
Weeks ago, the Congress Working Committee had unanimously urged Rahul to assume the position of Lok Sabha LoP, acknowledging his two Bharat Jodo Yatras and the grand old party's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Raebareli MP has been appreciated by the Congress leaders constantly for the impressive comeback in the general elections, with the party winning 99 seats in comparison to its tally of 52 seats in the 2019 polls.
"In my personal opinion, Rahul Gandhi himself must take up the leader of opposition on behalf of Congress," Congress MP Karti Chidambaram had said.
Meanwhile, Manickam Tagore had also sought votes on the "name of my leader, Rahul Gandhi", adding that in his opinion as well, he should be the LoP.
Tagore had expressed faith in the grand old party's decision making committee, saying, "We are a Democratic Party".
Congress MP Vivek Tankha had also hailed Rahul for being "the face" of the part and leading the Lok Sabha campaigns from the forefront. "Wish to be led by him. Like his parents he is a benevolent human being. Time to bring sanity in public life," the Congress Rajya Sabha MP had said.
Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and LoP in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, had also sided with the wish for Rahul to become to the Lok Sabha LoP, saying that he would be fitting and appropriate for the role.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had also said that if Rahul was ready to take the responsibility, then why would anybody in the INDIA bloc object to it.
Notably, Rahul had stepped down as the Congress national president after the party suffered a massive loss in the 2019 general elections. However, this time, with his Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, he has been highly credited for the party's impressive return.
