Congress and BJP today sparred over the Supreme Court's observation on the issue of LoP with the former accusing NDA government of "disrespecting Opposition" while the latter slamming it for "raising a hue and cry" over right traditions.
In a significant development, Supreme Court today decided to go into the issue of interpreting the provision of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha in the matter of selection of statutory bodies when there is no recognised LoP.
Asking the government to make its stand clear within two weeks, a bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha emphasised the importance of the post saying Leader of Opposition conveys the voice of representation different from government in the House.
Latching on to apex court's observation, Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said it "vindicates" the party's stand and alleged that the Speaker's decision to deny the LoP status to it in Lok Sabha appeared "coloured by BJP's partisan agenda".
He also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue saying while he talks of taking Opposition parties along, his actions were in "direct conflict" with what he says.
Another party spokesperson Salman Khurshid said through the observation, the Supreme Court has given an indication that "partisan" decisions should not be taken into the matter and the suggestion of the apex court should be respected.
BJP Spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain, however, said that the Speaker is the chief of people representatives and has decided on the issue as per rules and precedents.
"Congress is using wrong traditions and when the right tradition is being used it is raising a hue and cry," he said.
About the court observation, he said,"in the matters of legislature, Parliament is supreme and it has to do its work as per rules and traditions. Parliament, which lays rules and procedure, only will decide on Leader of Opposition. We respect the judiciary, but it is still the job of the legislature to decide on the issue".
Home Minister Rajnath Singh asked the Congress to honour the decision of the Speaker not to grant the status of Leader of Opposition to it in the Lok Sabha.
"As per the Constitution, a party must get 10 per cent seat (for Leader of Opposition status). But unfortunately it did not happen. So, they should accept it," he told reporters in Gorakhpur.
Congress, as the second largest party in the Lok Sabha with 44 seats, has been making a strong bid for the post of LoP but the ruling BJP has opposed it, saying it does not have the requisite 10 per cent seats which meant it needed 55 to stake claim.
