New Delhi: The 18th Lok Sabha is likely to have a Deputy Speaker, a post which remained vacant in the previous Lok Sabha and has now become a point of contention between the ruling and opposition sides.
In the runup to the Speaker’s election, INDIA bloc had demanded the Deputy Speaker’s post in lieu of supporting the Speaker candidate of the ruling BJP-led NDA alliance.
But both sides could not reach a consensus, resulting in a contest for the Speaker’s post. BJP MP Om Birla was elected as Speaker through a voice vote against Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh as the Opposition didn’t press for division of votes.
In the 17th Lok Sabha, there was no Deputy Speaker. In the 16th Lok Sabha, M Thambidurai of the then BJP ally AIADMK was the Deputy Speaker.
Unlike the last two Lok Sabhas, BJP lacks majority in the House and as a result the demand for the Deputy Speaker’s post has become louder.
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Sources said the 18th Lok Sabha would have a Deputy Speaker and both the Speaker and government appear in favour of it. However, it may go to one of the BJP allies like TDP and might not go to the Opposition.
During the Congress-led UPA regime, the Deputy Speaker’s post was with the BJP-led NDA, which was then in the Opposition. The Deputy Speaker acts as custodian of the House in absence of the Speaker. And he can speak, take part in deliberations and vote as a member if he is not presiding the house.
In the order of precedence, the Deputy Speaker is at the tenth position, while the Lok Sabha Speaker is at the sixth position.