UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2018

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?

  1. 1 and 3 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

2 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is wrong: the CPI, not the Swatantra Party (formed in 1959), was the largest opposition party in the first Lok Sabha (1952). Statement 2 is correct: the Leader of the Opposition was first officially recognised in 1969 (Ram Subhag Singh). Statement 3 is wrong: the recognition norm is a party holding at least 10% of the House strength (about 55 seats), not 75 members.

Topics: leader of the opposition, lok sabha and opposition, parliament, polity