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The Congress’s dismal performance in the Lok Sabha and its refusal to give the post of leader of the Opposition to the party has help the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government save almost Rs 30 lakh in 2015-16.
According to the Budget document, the Centre has not sanctioned any money for the leader of the opposition and its secretariat. In 2014-15, around Rs 1.39 crore was sanctioned under this head, which was lowered to around Rs 30 lakh during the course of the year.
The Congress suffered its worst defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when the party’s tally was reduced to just 44 from over 200 in the 14th Lok Sabha.
Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress has been recognised as the leader of the Congress in the 15th Lok Sabha.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was the last recognised leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha during the United Progressive Alliance government.
