Telugu Desam Party and its allies recorded a historic victory in Andhra Pradesh. The anti-incumbency is so huge that Jagan Mohan Reddy could not even get the Opposition Status in the AP Assembly. Eighteen seats were needed for the LOP status while YSR Congress had only eleven.
Now the big question is who will be the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.
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If Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan agrees, the Speaker can still designate Jagan Mohan Reddy as the LOP but it is highly likely.
Janasena has more than 18 seats that are needed to be the Principal Opposition.
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The Leader of Opposition post is a cabinet-rank post. It will also ensure place for the YSR Congress MLAs in the front.
The LOP is given the priority when it comes to speaking opportunity but then, it is only after the Leader of the House (The CM).
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It is most likely the LOP will be given mike whenever he wants to talk.
So, this post is important.
There is a precedent in Tamil Nadu which can make Pawan Kalyan (or anyone from Janasena) as the Leader of the Opposition.
In 2011, Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK and Vijaykanth’s DMDK contested together in an alliance. Jayalalithaa won but Vijaykanth’s party got more seats than Karunanidhi’s DMK.
Vijaykanth was made the Leader of the Opposition denying the chance to the DMK.
Chandrababu can do so denying the chance to Jagan Mohan Reddy.
But then, it has to be seen if Chandrababu and Pawan Kalyan wants to be on opposite sides.
The history also has a bad omen about this arrangement. Jayalalithaa and Vijaykanth parted ways due to differences and DMDK contested with BJP in 2014 Parliament elections.
Chandrababu can also set a new precedent by keeping the post vacant.
