ABSTRACT
The parliamentary System of government assigns a critical role to the opposition. This chapter focuses on the changing role of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and its record in ensuring the accountability of the government. This chapter makes out a case for assessing the political context in which the opposition operates and also the redefining of the role that elected representatives see for themselves, especially in the recent past. The structure of the democratic system, the nature of the party system, and the context of the federal polity are all taken into account while assessing the role that the parliamentary opposition has played in India. The floor of the parliamentary chamber is often no longer seen as the principal site by the opposition for challenging the government or holding it accountable. The real scene for political action is often in the public domain.
