The BJP on Friday claimed the Opposition bloc INDIA is considering making the Leader of the Opposition’s post in the Lok Sabha rotational and asserted they should go ahead with such a decision if they feel Rahul Gandhi is not able to fulfill his responsibility with dedication.

Gandhi was appointed as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha with the Congress being the single largest Opposition party in the House. According to rules, only an MP from the single largest party in the Opposition with at least 10 per cent seats can be appointed as the LoP.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said many leaders in the Opposition parties are capable of handling the work of the Leader of Opposition. However, she clarified that it is up to them to decide as it is their internal matter.

Her comments came amid the buzz over the Opposition parties considering making the Leader of Opposition’s post rotational in the Lower House.

“Yes, absolutely. I have also heard that there is talk of making the post of Leader of Opposition rotational. But I would politely say that this is an internal matter of the Opposition,” Swaraj told the press while replying to the media query.

“Yes, there are definitely many leaders in the Opposition parties who are quite capable of fulfilling the responsibility of the Leader of Opposition. If the INDI Alliance feels that Rahul Gandhi is not able to fulfill his responsibility with complete dedication, they should take such a decision,” she added.

Former Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary, replying to PTI on a question if the Leader of Opposition’s post can be made rotational, said only an MP from the single largest Opposition party in the House can be appointed as the LoP.

The person whom the single largest opposition party wants to be appointed as the LoP is chosen by it only, he said. “Neither the government nor the Speaker have any role to play in it,” Acharya said.

The Speaker only recognises a person as the LoP in the Lok Sabha whose name is forwarded by the single largest Opposition party, he added.

India has raised concerns over the safety of UN peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon after they came under fire from Israeli forces attacking Hezbollah targets in the region. Around 600 Indian soldiers are part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, and are stationed along the 120-km Blue Line on the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that they are concerned about the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. It added that they will continue to monitor the situation closely. It further stated that inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate.

The statement follows a day after the UN said the Naqoura headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit by Israeli forces.

The UN statement read that this morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. It added that the injuries are fortunately not serious this time, but the victims remain in hospital.

Notably, the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated rapidly after the assassination of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Israel is using land-based weaponry in this region, which increases the risk for troops stationed there.

The Israel Defence Forces 9IDF) have accused Hezbollah of operating in areas near UNIFIL posts. The IDF in a statement said that the IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.

It added that on Thursday morning, IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base. Consequently, the IDF instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces, following which the forces opened fire in the area.

BJP president JP Nadda asserted on Friday that after Haryana, the BJP would also sweep the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Speaking to reporters, Nadda said the BJP had achieved a lot in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir and credit for this goes to the people and the almighty.

Nadda paid obeisance at the Shri Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur today and said the people were happy with the performance of the BJP government at the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Today I got the privilege of taking the blessings of Maa Naina Devi on the ninth day of Sharadiya Navratri. With the blessings of Mother Goddess, all of us will work with our full energy to fulfill Prime Minister Modi’s dream of a developed India,” he said.

After the party’s victory in the Haryana elections, the Union Health Minister was in Himachal Pradesh to offer prayers.

“The party would also sweep upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand,” Nadda said.

Bucking anti-incumbency, the ruling BJP pulled off a hat-trick of wins in Haryana to retain power and halt Congress’ comeback attempt in the assembly elections.

In the recent Assembly elections, BJP won Haryana by 48 seats, while Congress had 37 seats, 2 for INLD and 3 seats went to independent candidates.

On winning the Haryana Assembly election, PM Modi extended his gratitude to the people of Haryana for giving a clear majority to the BJP once again. “This is the victory of the politics of development and good governance. I assure the people here that we will leave no stone unturned to fulfil their aspirations,” he had said.

PM Modi asserted that the party’s victory in the state was an outcome of the hard work of party workers.

The BJP also made notable gains in Jammu and Kashmir by winning 29 of the 90 seats. The National Conference-Congress combine is set to form government in the Union territory.