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As the Congress General Secretary, the question on many minds is: where will Priyanka Gandhi sit in the Lok Sabha?
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI Photo)
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi officially entered the Lok Sabha on Thursday as an elected Member of Parliament (MP) after securing the Wayanad seat in Kerala. Known for her dynamic leadership and influential presence within the Congress party, Priyanka has long been a key figure among party workers and the opposition parties. As the party’s General Secretary and a prominent face of the Congress, the question on many minds is: where will Priyanka Gandhi sit in the Lok Sabha?
Seating Arrangement in the Lok Sabha: How It Works
The seating arrangement for MPs in the Lok Sabha is governed by Rule 4 of the Procedure and Conduct of the Lok Sabha. According to these rules, the Speaker of the House holds the authority to decide where each MP will sit. This is based on a framework known as the “Directions by the Speaker,” which allows the Speaker to allocate seats in accordance with the party’s strength and standing in the House.
Since Priyanka Gandhi is entering Parliament for the first time, and the Wayanad seat was won in a by-election, her seat has not been pre-determined. This brings up the question: where exactly will she sit in the Lok Sabha?
Where Can Priyanka Gandhi Sit?
It’s clear that Priyanka will sit on the left side of the Speaker, as members of the opposition parties, including the Congress, traditionally occupy the left side in the Lok Sabha. Additionally, she will be seated among the Congress MPs, as her seat allocation will fall within the designated area for the party’s representatives.
However, it is unlikely that she will occupy the first row as the current seating in the opposition section is determined by party numbers. Given that there are several parties within the opposition bloc, and each one is vying for space for its MPs in the front rows, Priyanka’s seat in the first row seems improbable. Additionally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to occupy a seat in the first row, further reducing the possibility of Priyanka sitting there.
The Role of Congress Leadership in Seat Allocation
The final decision on where Priyanka Gandhi will sit rests with the leadership of the Congress party. After the Speaker allocates the seating for each party, it is the responsibility of the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Leader, and Chief Whip of the Congress to finalise the seating arrangements for the party’s MPs. In Congress, these leaders discuss and decide the positions of all MPs within their group, based on factors like seniority, party stature, and individual prominence.
As a first-time MP, Priyanka is unlikely to be seated in the very front rows. The second or third row seems like a more plausible option. These rows are typically where key party leaders and seasoned MPs sit. Given Priyanka’s role as one of the top campaigners for the Congress during the elections and her high standing within the party, it’s expected that she will be assigned a prominent seat in the second or third row, where she can sit alongside other Congress leaders.
Past Precedents: Rahul Gandhi’s Seating Position
Interestingly, in the previous Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, sat in the second row behind the Deputy Speaker. This arrangement is often a symbolic one, positioning the leader and prominent MPs closer to the front, but not necessarily in the very first row. Given these precedents, there is a strong possibility that Priyanka Gandhi could be seated in a similar position in the second or third row.
What Does the Congress Chief Whip Say?
In a statement about Priyanka Gandhi’s seating, Congress Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha, K Suresh, said, “We are pleased that Priyanka Gandhi’s entry into the House will strengthen the opposition’s voice. Her seating will be decided by the party, and she will certainly be seated in a prominent position. There is no concern regarding her seat; her role as a senior leader and party general secretary will ensure that she is given a suitable place.”
Once the Speaker finalises the initial seat allocation, the Congress party and other opposition groups will submit their seat preferences to the Lok Sabha Secretariat. After that, the official seating plan will be confirmed. It remains to be seen where Priyanka Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader with a strong political legacy, will be positioned in the Lok Sabha. Her seat, no matter where it is, is sure to attract attention as she begins her journey in the Lok Sabha.