The Opposition parties may field a candidate for the Speaker’s post in the 18th Lok Sabha if the Deputy Speaker’s post is not given to their camp, sources told India Today TV on Saturday.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on June 24 and conclude on July 3. During the nine-day special session, the process for the election of Speaker will begin on June 26.
In the 17th Lok Sabha, the BJP’s Om Birla was the Speaker, while the Deputy Speaker’s office remained vacant.
The opposition parties saw a resurgence as the INDIA bloc secured victory on 233 seats. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), on the other hand, managed to form the government for the third consecutive term but faced significant losses in the Hindi heartland, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
As a coalition government came to power after a gap of ten years, the power of the Speaker is back in the minds of the people as the NDA parties are eyeing the post.
The Speaker’s post is seen as a symbol of the ruling party’s or alliance’s strength and control over the legislative process in the Lok Sabha. Along with the Speaker, the Constitution also provides for the election of the Deputy Speaker as well, who discharges the Speaker’s duties in his/ her absence.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the lower house, which is not just ceremonial but also has substantial influence over the functioning of the House. He presides over the joint sitting of Parliament and also decides whether a bill is a money bill or not. The Lok Sabha committees also work under his leadership.
Notably, the Deputy Speaker is an independent office, as per the Constitution, and is not subservient to the Speaker.
Aisha Patel is a dedicated Indian correspondent with a deep understanding of the nation’s diverse affairs. With a background in Indian culture, politics, and current events, she provides in-depth analysis and timely reporting on domestic issues within India.
