In a significant development for India's political landscape, Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party has been named the leader of the opposition in the country's parliament, filling a post that had remained vacant for the past ten years. This appointment marks a constitutional role for Mr. Gandhi, who entered politics in 2004 and has emerged as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's main rival.

Mr. Gandhi's new position grants him membership in committees responsible for crucial appointments and acts as a counterbalance to the prime minister. Since 2014, no opposition party had managed to secure the required 10% or 55 seats out of the 543 in the parliament to claim this post. However, in the recent general election, the Congress party secured 99 seats, allowing Mr. Gandhi to assume the role.

While Prime Minister Modi's party continues to hold power with the support of allies, their failure to secure a majority after two consecutive landslides has given the Congress party an opportunity to challenge the government. The Congress party has stated that Mr. Gandhi's leadership will ensure accountability within the government at all times.

Observers see Mr. Gandhi's appointment as a positive development for India's democracy, as the opposition has consistently accused the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of authoritarianism, a claim the BJP denies. Political commentator Neerja Chowdhury highlighted that the parliament is expected to be turbulent, with the opposition intending to hold the government accountable for its actions.

However, Mr. Gandhi's new role also places him in a position to prove his leadership capabilities. Despite his long tenure in politics and five terms as an MP, Mr. Gandhi has never held a ministerial position or won a general election for his party. Ms. Chowdhury emphasized that he must lead from the front and ensure unity within his party and the opposition bloc, as he will be held responsible for both successes and failures.

The Congress party formally appointed Mr. Gandhi as the leader of the opposition on Tuesday following a meeting with its alliance partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) opposition bloc. Although the coalition did not prevent Mr. Modi from forming a government, their unexpectedly strong performance in the general election, securing 232 seats, prevented the BJP from reaching the required 272 seats for an outright majority.

In his first appearance as the leader of the opposition, Mr. Gandhi congratulated Om Birla of the BJP on being appointed Speaker of the House. He assured Mr. Birla of the opposition's support but emphasized the importance of their voices being heard in the parliament.

As the leader of the opposition, Mr. Gandhi will now participate in high-profile committees chaired by the prime minister. These committees play a vital role in appointing key positions such as the director of India's top crime investigation agency and members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). With a stronger opposition, greater room for debate is expected, making it more challenging for the government to pass bills without thorough discussions.

Political journalist Sugata Srinivasaraju highlighted that Mr. Gandhi's new role not only brings immense responsibility but also provides an opportunity for him to reshape his image as a leader. Previously mocked by Prime Minister Modi and the BJP as a non-serious politician, Mr. Gandhi has managed to rebuild his reputation through extensive marches across the country. Winning parliamentary seats in Wayanad, Kerala, and Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, with substantial majorities further boosted his confidence.

The decision to accept the role as leader of the opposition demonstrates Mr. Gandhi's growing confidence and determination to make an impact. However, analysts suggest that he must carefully build on this newfound momentum to establish a more prominent presence in Indian politics.

With Rahul Gandhi assuming this pivotal role, India's parliament is set to experience a revitalized opposition that is poised to challenge the government, making parliamentary debates and decisions more robust and comprehensive.