New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Om Birla was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha for a second consecutive term on Wednesday, June 26.
Birla who was also the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha had presided over the suspension of an unprecedented 100 opposition MPs in the Lower House. Another 46 opposition MPs had been suspended from the Rajya Sabha.
Birla, the candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was elected by a voice vote.
The Lok Sabha saw an election for the post of the Speaker for the first time in decades after Congress legislator K. Suresh filed his nomination as the INDIA bloc candidate a day ago after negotiations for the post of the deputy speaker between the government and the opposition fell through.
The motion to elect Birla was moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and taken up for voting by Pro-Tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab. While the opposition had moved a motion to elect Suresh as the Speaker, it was not put to a vote. The opposition subsequently did not ask for a division of votes.
‘We would like the House to function often and well’
In his remarks, leader of opposition Congress MP Rahul Gandhi while congratulating Birla said that the “voice of the opposition must be allowed to be represented in the House.”
“This House represents the voice of India’s people and you are the final arbitrator of the voice. Of course, the government has political power but the opposition also represents the voice of India’s youth and this time, more significantly than the last. The opposition would like to assist you in doing your work and we would like the House to function often and well. It is very important that cooperation must happen based on trust and the voice of the opposition is allowed to be represented in the House,” he said.
“I am confident that you will allow us to represent our voice, allow us to speak and allow us to represent the voice of the people of India. The question is not how efficiently the House is running, the question is how much of India’s voice is being allowed to be heard in the House. So the idea that you can run the House efficiently by silencing the voice of the Opposition is a non-democratic idea. This election has shown that the people of India expect the opposition to defend the country’s Constitution. We are confident that by allowing us to speak, you will do your duty of defending the Constitution,” he added.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 240 seats on its own and has a total of 292 seats in the Lok Sabha along with its allies. The opposition has a total of 232 seats.
In the Winter Session of parliament when an unprecedented 146 opposition MPs were suspended, in the absence of much opposition, the Modi government passed essential legislation including the three new criminal laws and the Telecom Bill. Along with the suspension of opposition MPs, the 17th Lok Sabha also ended with the post of the Deputy Speaker remaining vacant for the first time. The parliament also saw a security breach for the first time in decades. The 17th Lok Sabha also saw opposition MPs accusing Sansad TV of not showing members of the INDIA alliance when they spoke, showing the Speaker’s chair at those times.
‘Whenever the 17th Lok Sabha is mentioned, your name will shine’
In his remarks, Modi, lauded the Speaker for holding the post two consecutive times.
“I want to congratulate you on behalf of the House. It is a huge responsibility for you to sit on this post for the second time during the Amrit Kaal. With your experience, we hope that you will guide us for the next five years. ‘Aapke chehre par yeh meethi meethi muskaan poore Sadan ko prasann rakhti hai (your sweet smile keeps the House happy).’ Balram Jakhar became a Speaker twice. After him you have got the distinction of becoming the Speaker for the second time,” he said.
Modi highlighted the legislations that were passed in the previous Lok Sabha, but did not mention the manner in which they were rolled out.
“Over the past five years, under your Presidency, the parliament has taken some historic decisions. Whenever the 17th Lok Sabha is mentioned, your name will shine bright as the guiding light of the House. Through various bills, the 17th Lok Sabha gave reservations to women in legislatures, integrated Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India, brought new Criminal laws, protected the rights of Transgender persons and accomplished many other milestones for social and national welfare. This will be remembered as your legacy for generations to come,” he said.
“The works that didn’t happen during 70 years of independence, were made possible by this House under your chairmanship. In the long journey of democracy, there are several milestones. A few occasions are such when we receive the opportunity to establish milestones. I am very confident that the country will be proud of the achievements of the 17th Lok Sabha,” he added.
