It seems that the Lok Sabha will have no Opposition Leader this time.For granting the status of Opposition Leader, at least 10% of the total seats in the Parliament are required as per Convention. The Congress, the second biggest party, got only 44 seats, while the requirement is at least 54 seats, 10% of the total 540 seats. The Opposition Leader posts carry many privileges including the rank of a Cabinet Minister, with supportive staff etc.
It is reported that the Speaker Smt. Sumitra Mahajan is expected to take a decision as per convention. There was no Leader of Opposition during the Prime Ministership of Pandit jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi. In the first few Parliaments, though the Communist Party of India was the second party, its leader Com. A.K.Gopalan M.P., was never given the status of the Opposition Leader.
Congress Party is reaping what it has sown.