New Delhi: The Supreme Court today questioned Centre on status of Leader of the Opposition post in Parliament saying this post is important for appointment of Lokpal.
The committee to select the nine members of the Lokpal is meant to include the Leader of the Opposition along with the Prime Minister and others.
The top court's judges pointed out that the make-up of the committee is part of the law passed by parliament that brings the Lokpal into existence.
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 the Opposition.
But Speaker Sumitra Mahajan ruled that out, citing rules that a party must have at least 55 members in the House to claim the post.
Prashant Bhushan, lawyer-activist and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, has brought the matter to the Supreme Court, asking the centre to explain the delay in deciding the members of the Lokpal.
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