Q. Consider the following statements:- In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.
- In the Lok Sabha, a "Leader of the Opposition" was recognised for the first time in 1969.
- In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2018)
Answer:
2 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[B] 2 only. This question tests historical and procedural facts regarding the Indian Parliament and the evolution of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) role.
- Statement 1 (Incorrect): In the first Lok Sabha (1952), the Communist Party of India (CPI) was the single largest opposition party with 16 seats. The Swatantra Party was not formed until 1959 and did not exist during the first general elections.
- Statement 2 (Correct): Although the role existed informally, the "Leader of the Opposition" was officially recognized for the first time in 1969. Ram Subhag Singh became the first person to hold this official title. Statutory recognition was later provided by the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.
- Statement 3 (Incorrect): To be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition, a party must have at least 10% of the total strength of the House (the Mavalankar Rule). In the Lok Sabha (543 seats), this requirement is 55 members, not 75. If no party meets this threshold, the House may not have a formal LoP.