Opposition Threatens to Nominate Speaker Candidate in 18th Lok Sabha Over Deputy Speaker Post Dispute
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/17th June 2024
The opposition parties may nominate a candidate for the Speaker position in the 18th Lok Sabha if the Deputy Speaker’s post is not allocated to them, according to a report by India Today. Previously, the Deputy Speaker’s office remained vacant during the 17th Lok Sabha under the BJP’s Om Birla, who served as the Speaker.
Om Birla was elected as the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha in June 2019. His election followed a motion moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the most recent Lok Sabha elections, Birla was once again fielded by the BJP from Kota, where he won the Parliamentary seat with a margin of over 41,139 votes.
The election for the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is scheduled for June 26, according to an official statement from the Lok Sabha Secretariat. “In pursuance of sub-rule (1) of Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the President has been pleased to fix Wednesday, the 26th June, 2024, for holding the election to the office of Speaker, Lok Sabha,” the official release stated.
The opposition’s INDIA bloc made significant gains in the recent elections, securing 233 seats and marking a notable resurgence. Despite this, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) succeeded in forming the government for a third consecutive term, although they faced setbacks in key states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana. The Speaker’s post is highly coveted by both the NDA and INDIA, as it symbolizes strength and control over the legislative process in the Lok Sabha.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to take place from June 24 to July 3, during which newly elected Members will take their oaths or affirmations. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju announced this schedule on Wednesday.
President Droupadi Murmu is expected to address a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on June 27. This address will mark a significant event, as it sets the legislative agenda and outlines the government’s priorities for the new parliamentary term.
The final session of the 17th Lok Sabha, which was the Budget session, took place between January 31 and February 10, 2024. Concurrently, the 264th Session of the Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3, as stated by Minister Rijiju.
The contention over the Deputy Speaker’s post has been a point of friction between the ruling NDA and the opposition. Traditionally, this role has been seen as a balancing act, providing the opposition with a significant position within the parliamentary framework. However, the vacancy in the 17th Lok Sabha has led to increasing demands from the opposition for a fair distribution of key parliamentary roles.
The INDIA bloc’s strong performance in the recent elections has emboldened their stance, pushing for greater representation and influence within the parliamentary procedures. The upcoming election for the Speaker will be a crucial event, potentially setting the tone for the legislative dynamics of the 18th Lok Sabha.
As both the NDA and the opposition prepare for this critical election, the outcome will not only determine who holds the prestigious Speaker position but also reflect the underlying power dynamics and strategic alignments within the new Lok Sabha. The opposition’s potential move to nominate their own candidate underscores their determination to assert their presence and influence in the legislative process, amidst a backdrop of ongoing political negotiations and power plays.
