Do we need a Leader of Opposition? A glimpse into the past

Number of Lok Sabha

Period of Lok Sabha

Leader of Opposition (Name with Period)

First

(17.4.1952 to 4.4.1957)

Nil

Second

(5.4.1957 to 31.3.1962)

Nil

Third

(2.4.1962 to 3.3.1967)

Nil

Fourth

(4.3.1967 to 27.12.1970)

Ram Subhag Singh (17.12.1969 to 27.12.1970)

Fifth

(15.3.1971 to 18.1.1977)

Nil

Sixth

(23.3.1977 to 22.8.1979)

YB Chavan (1.7..1977 to 11.4.1978)

CM Stephen (12.4.1978 to 9.7.1979)

YB Chavan (10.7.1979 to 28.7.1979)

Jagjivan Ram (27.7.1979 to 22.8.1979)

Seventh

(10.1.1980 to 31.12.1984)

Nil

Eighth

(31.12.1984 to 27.11.1989)

Nil

Ninth

(2.12.1989 to 13.3.1991)

Rajiv Gandhi (18.12.1989 to 23.12.1990)

LK Advani (24.12.1990 to 13.3.1991)

Tenth

(20.6.1991 to 10.5.1996)

LK Advani (21.6.1991 to 26.7.1993)

AB Vajpayee (26.7.1993 to 10.5.1996)

Eleventh

(15.5.1996 to 4.12.1997)

PV Narasimha Rao (16.5.1996 to 31.5.1996)

AB Vajpayee (1.6.1996 to 4.12.1997)

Twelfth

(10.3.1998 to 26.4.1999)

Sharad Pawar (19.3.1998 to 26.4.1999)

Thirteenth

(10.10.1999 to 6.2.2004)

Sonia Gandhi (13.10.1999 to 6.2.2004)

Fourteenth

(17.5.2004 to 23.3.2009

LK Advani (22.5.2004 to 21.12.2009)

Fifteenth

(18.5.2009 - 18.5.2014)

Sushma Swaraj (21.12.2009 -18.5.2014)