G. V. Malvankar set the rule of 10% seats for LoP status
Q. Who created the rule of 10% seats required for status of Opposition Party and LoP status?- Published on 15 Feb 16a. G. V. Malvankar
b. Jawaharlal Nehru
c. Rajendra Prasad
d. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
ANSWER: G. V. Malvankar
- A six-decade old ruling by India's first Speaker GV Malvankar established this norm, which later became official as a Direction 121(1) of the Speaker's directions.
- There was consequently no LoP from 1952 till 1969, and from 1979-89.
- From 1984-89, a TDP leader was made LoP, although TDP had 3 seats less than 10%.
- Recently, the Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking Leader of Opposition status for largest opposition party in Lok Sabha.
- The decision of the Supreme Court assumes significance as the Leader of Opposition's post is equivalent to that of a cabinet minister. The leader of opposition is mandated to be a part of the selection panel of several constitutional posts, including the Lokpal, CVC and the NHRC.
