The Supreme Court has told the Centre that it is concerned about the post of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, remaining vacant. Highlighting the importance of the LoP, the Apex Court said, it conveys a voice different from the government in the House.

Posting the case for final disposal for 9th September, the Apex Court said, the issue cannot be prolonged and the the Lok Pal Act cannot be put in cold storage.

The Supreme Court also termed the LoP as a very important component under the Lok Pal law and said it needs objective consideration.

Earlier this month, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had rejected the Congress' demand for the post of Leader of Opposition. She said, according to rules, a party is eligible for the post only if it has at least 55 seats in the Lower House.

The Congress has 44. The Congress had claimed that as the single-largest opposition party, its floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, should be recognized as Leader of Opposition.

The Congress has welcomed the Supreme Court observations on the issue of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha. Party leader Anand Sharma said that the Apex court's observation is correct. He alleged that the Speaker's ruling is influenced by partisan politics. Another party leader Manish Tewari said opposition is the essence of democracy and if government chooses to ignore LoP, It is, what he called, “an assault on democracy”.

Janata Dal (United) Chief Sharad Yadav said both the ruling party and the opposition are the voice of people and government must find a solution to this matter.

Meanwhile, the BJP said people do not want to give the Leader of Opposition post to the Congress as it has given only 44 seats to the party in 543 member house. Party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters in New Delhi that the peoples' verdict in a democracy should be respected.