Rahul Gandhi’s big test as India’s opposition leader

Rahul Gandhi of the Congress group has been elected as the party’s president in India’s parliament, taking over a position that had been vacant for ten years.

Since he entered politics in 2004, it is the first time his main rival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has a legal part.

Mr. Gandhi will then serve on boards that make important meetings and serve as a balance to the prime minister.

Since 2014, no opposition party had won 10 % or 55 of the 543 chairs required to claim the article, but Congress took 99 votes in the recent general election.

Mr. Modi continues to rule with the support of friends, but his party suffered two floods in a row.

According to the Congress group, Mr. Gandhi do make sure the government was held accountable at all times.

Some observers believe that his appointment signals a positive shift in India’s democracy because the opposition has repeatedly accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) of authoritarianism, a charge it refutes.

Political commentator Neerja Chowdhury told the BBC,” This is going to be a stormy parliament, and the opposition will criticize the government.”

Ms. Chowdhury claimed that the position had even evaluate Mr. Gandhi’s leadership prowess.

He has served as an MP for five words and has served as an MP for more than 25 years. He has not won a public vote for his party.

According to Ms. Chowdhury,” He’ll have to result from the front and make certain there are no curled wings” within his party or the opposition bloc. He will be held responsible for both what goes wrong and what goes straight.

Following a meeting with its alliance partners, who make up the opposition bloc known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance ( INDI), the Congress on Tuesday appointed Mr. Gandhi as leader of the opposition ( LoP ).

The partnership performed much better than expected in the public election, securing 232 tickets. That prevented Mr. Modi from formating a government, but it also provided that the BJP may depend on its allies to reach the 272-mark.

On Wednesday, Mr Gandhi made his initial appearance in parliament in his new position.

He praised Om Birla, the BJP’s new leader, and thanked him for his help while even urging the opponent’s views to be heard.

” It is very important that co-operation takes place on the basis of confidence. He said it is crucial that the opposition’s voice be heard in this House.

Mr. Gandhi may serve on high-profile boards led by the prime minister in his capacity as LoP. The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ) and the director of India’s top crime investigation agency are both candidates for positions on these committees.

A stronger criticism, according to Ms. Chowdhury, may open up more room for discussion, making it difficult for the government to pass laws without discussion.

According to her, “it’s even going to be a lot more challenging for the ruling majority to halt and invalidate MPs, as we’ve seen happen in the recent past.”

Last year, some key bills – including ones meant to replace India’s existing criminal laws – were passed in parliament with almost no debate after 143 opposition leaders were suspended after protesting against a security breach in parliament.

According to Sugata Srinivasaraju, a social columnist who has written a book about Mr. Gandhi, his new position will also help him resurrect his leadership style.

He told the BBC,” This new job not only brings enormous responsibility, but it also places a greater emphasis on Mr. Gandhi’s methodical, diligent, and patient behavior in parliament, which he has n’t exactly been in the previous 20 years.”

Following the group’s disastrous election efficiency, Mr. Gandhi resigned as president of Congress in 2017.

Mr. Modi and the BJP have frequently made fun of him as a non-serious legislator. However, according to experts, his two lengthy rallies across the nation over the past few years helped to reverse that perception.

He won both of his political chairs, both in Wayanad in Kerala position, and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, with significant majority votes.

” The decision to accept the new position suggests a new trust… inside him”, Mr Srinivasaraju said.

He has made a thorn, and he needs to work it out properly.