The Opposition parties might nominate a candidate for the Speaker’s position in the 18th Lok Sabha if they are not offered the Deputy Speaker’s position, according to sources, on Saturday. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence on June 24 and end on July 3. Within this nine-day special session, the process for the Speaker’s election will start on June 26.
In the 17th Lok Sabha, Om Birla from the BJP served as the Speaker, but the Deputy Speaker position was left unfilled.
The opposition parties experienced a resurgence with the INDIA bloc winning 233 seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a third consecutive term in government but suffered notable losses in the Hindi heartland, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
With a coalition government taking power after a ten-year gap, the role of the Speaker has regained public attention as the NDA parties set their sights on the position.
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The Speaker’s post is considered a symbol of the ruling party’s or alliance’s strength and control over the legislative process in the Lok Sabha. Additionally, the Constitution mandates the election of the Deputy Speaker, who performs the Speaker’s duties in their absence.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer of the lower house, holding a position that is not merely ceremonial but also significantly influences the House’s functioning. The Speaker presides over joint sessions of Parliament and determines whether a bill qualifies as a money bill. Additionally, the Lok Sabha committees operate under the Speaker’s guidance.
Notably, according to the Constitution, the Deputy Speaker holds an independent office and is not subservient to the Speaker.
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