Question 31 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Polity

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.
2. In the Lok Sabha, a 'Leader of the Opposition' was recognised for the first time in 1969.
3. 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?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 only

Strategy: - Focus on historical facts and numerical criteria to evaluate statements.
- **Statement 1:** Reject, as the Swatantra Party was formed in 1959, making its presence in the first Lok Sabha (1952) impossible.
- **Statement 2:** Confirm the historical milestone that the Leader of the Opposition was officially recognized for the first time in 1969, validating the statement.
- **Statement 3:** Reject the fixed numerical minimum (75) for Leader of Opposition recognition; the actual rule specifies one-tenth of the total membership.
- Conclude that only Statement 2 is correct based on these points.

Key Info: ## Key Historical and Parliamentary Facts

*   **First Lok Sabha (1952-57):** This period was primarily dominated by the Indian National Congress. The Communist Party of India served as the largest opposition party, holding 16 seats.
*   **Swatantra Party:** Established in 1959 by C. Rajagopalachari as a conservative political party. Consequently, it did not exist during the first general elections.
*   **Leader of the Opposition:**
    *   The office was formally recognized in the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1969.
    *   It gained statutory status in 1977 with the enactment of the 'Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977'.
    *   **Recognition Criteria:** Parliamentary norms dictate that a party must secure at least one-tenth (10%) of the total membership of the Lok Sabha for its leader to be recognized. For instance, in a 545-member house, this equates to a minimum of 55 members, not a fixed number like 75.
*   **Role:** The Leader of the Opposition is a significant official position, playing a constitutional role in various appointments and acting as a check on the government.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3