Jaipur, Nov 29: Accusing Congress president Sonia Gandhi of misusing official machinery in party-ruled states, BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan today said she did not hold any constitutional position and was not entitled to such a privilege. "Gandhi is using aircraft and helicopters belonging to her party-ruled states for personal or party work on the pretext that she is the Leader of the Opposition," Mahajan told reporters here.
"But the law does not envisage any official power to the Leader of the Opposition whose role is confined to Lok Sabha.
"She is not a part of government. She ranks 13th in the official protocol below Cabinet ministers. Her position as Leader of the Opposition is limited to Cabinet secretariat," Mahajan said.
Referring to Election Commission's notice to Congress for use of Chhattisgarh helicopter for Gandhi's visit to Chennai, Mahajan said the state machinery could only be used by the Chief Minister, his ministerial colleagues and officials of the state. Bureau Report