(Image source from: Mamata Jaya to form opposition block in LS})

Is Mamata Banerjee out to form an opposition block along with Jayalalithaa in the Lok Sabha? Speculations have started that the TMC boss has initiated the process to form an opposition block with the AIADMK chief in order to protect the interest of their respective states.

Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal chief minister, has initiated talks with J Jayalalithaa, her counterpart in Tamil Nadu. The move has triggered speculation that these regional powers could form an opposition bloc in the Lok Sabha with an aimed at protecting the interests of their states.

According to reports, Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from Odisha also join this club. The BJD has 20 MPs in the new Lok sabha.

Naveen Patnaik has a good rapport with Mamata Banerjee and Jayalalithaa. The three regional powers can collectively form a bloc to 91 MPs. This three-party block can lay claim to the post of the Leader of the Opposition,” according to a BJP leader.

Jaya's AIADMK won 37 out of 39 seats in Tamil Nadu while the TMC won 34 of the 42 seats in West Bengal. AIADMK and TMC are the third and fourth largest parties in the lower house.

The Congress, which has the second largest number with  44 seats in LS,  is short from the minimum mark by 11 seats (10% of total 543 seats) to hold the post of leader of opposition party under existing provisions.

As of now, the AIADMK has not committed to the proposal of the TMC. However, an AIADMK leader said some like-minded parties could attempt to form a block to deny Congress the status of a recognised opposition party.

Mamata Banerjee, who is keen to form such an opposition block in the parliament, had hinted at a group which would exclude the Congress, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The TMC boss made her intentions known after the May 16 electoral results. The West Bengal chief minister also hinted about speaking to Jayalalithaa about the block.

An opposition block has not been formed in the Indian parliament till now. If it happens it will be a precedent.

Former LS Speaker Somnath Chatterjee reportedly said that if some political parties form an opposition bloc in Parliament and seek the Speaker's permission in writing, claiming ‘Opposition’ status for the bloc, the Speaker may agree to their appeal.

Subhash Kashyap, the former LS secretary general, said that such a block in parliament would be “highly irregular and unprecedented”.

Kashyap feels that the Speaker is free to make his decisions, but it should be within the framework of rules. He even cited that from 1952 to 1969  there was no leader of opposition as no political party had the requisite numbers.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)