YSR Congress party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy could not get the leader of the opposition status in the state assembly, as his party does not have enough numbers to get the status.
Though there is no provision for leader of opposition status in the Constitution, the assembly rules say that the biggest opposition party which has at least one-tenth of the total strength (required for maintaining quorum in the House) will get the leader of opposition status.
However, the YSRCP has won only 11 seats in the 175-member assembly and Jagan requires at least 18 MLAs to get the Leader of Opposition status.
Jagan has written to assembly speaker Ch Ayyanna Patrudu stating that he should be given the LoP status as there is no rule in the Constitution that the opposition requires one-tenth number, but the Speaker has not responded to the same positively.
Though Jagan could not get the LoP status in the assembly, his party leader in the state legislative council Lella Appi Reddy could get the status because the YSRCP is the largest opposition party in the council, after the change of government in the state.
Interestingly, Jagan himself recommended Appi Reddy’s name for the Leader of Opposition in the council and council chairman Moshen Raju acknowledged the same and granted the status to Appi Reddy with effect from July 21.
“Honorable Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council has recognized Sri Lella Appi Reddy as the Leader of the Opposition in Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council with effect from 21st July, 2024,” read a notification released by Legislature Council Secretariat on Monday.
Appi Reddy, a first-time MLC and also served as government whip during Jagan regime, started his career with Congress’s student wing NSUI. During Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s regime, he served as Agriculture Market Committee chairman. Later, he joined the YSRCP.
Appi Reddy thanked Jagan for recognising his service. He said that he would strive to question the state government on the public issues in the Council and protect the interests of the common people.
Now that he has got the LoP status, Appi Reddy gets the cabinet rank status and enjoys all the facilities of a minister, including the protocol facilities and government vehicle with security – a status which Jagan is not entitled to.
