Opposition and NDA Lock Horns Over Deputy Speaker’s Post in Lok Sabha

The recent re-election of Om Birla as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha has triggered a standoff between the Opposition and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the vacant Deputy Speaker’s post in the lower house. The Opposition, led by the Congress party, has been pushing for a member from their bloc to be elected to the position, citing parliamentary conventions.

As the NDA sought support for Om Birla’s re-election as the Speaker, opposition leaders expressed their demand for the Deputy Speaker’s post to be given to them in exchange for their support. However, the NDA has not provided a clear stance on this issue, leading to a stalemate.

Leaders from both sides, including Rajnath Singh and Kiren Rijiju, have engaged in discussions, but no decision has been reached regarding the appointment of the Deputy Speaker. Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant highlighted the lack of clarity from the government on this matter, further prolonging the uncertainty.

In the previous 17th Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker’s position remained unfilled, adding weight to the Opposition’s argument for upholding the tradition of offering the post to the opposition party. During the 16th Lok Sabha, AIADMK‘s M Thambi Durai held the Deputy Speaker’s position while Sumitra Mahajan of the BJP served as the Speaker.

Article 95(1) delineates the duties of the Deputy Speaker, emphasizing their role when the Speaker’s post is vacant. The Deputy Speaker possesses similar powers to the Speaker when presiding over the House, underlining the significance of this position in the parliamentary proceedings.