Kharge writes to PM Modi, demands Deputy Speaker for Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has written to PM Narendra Modi, urging him to initiate the long-overdue process of electing a Deputy Speaker for the Lok Sabha — a post vacant for two consecutive terms for the first time in India's history.

In a letter to PM Modi, Kharge raised alarm over the continued vacancy of the Deputy Speaker post in Lok Sabha. From 1952 to 2014, every Lok Sabha had one — usually from the opposition. But neither the 17th nor the current 18th Lok Sabha has seen one appointed.

Kharge says this undermines India’s democratic traditions and violates Article 93 of the Constitution, which mandates early appointment of both Speaker and Deputy Speaker. He urged Modi to restore the constitutional balance in the House.

"This does not augur well for India’s democratic polity," Kharge warned.

ongress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday launched a strong criticism of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government, alleging that the past 11 years of its rule have significantly harmed India’s democratic framework, economic stability, and social harmony.

In a post shared on social media platform X, Kharge accused the government of systematically undermining constitutional institutions and eroding their autonomy. He cited instances such as the toppling of elected governments and centralisation of power, claiming these moves have weakened the country’s federal structure and sidelined the rights of individual states.

Kharge further alleged that the current administration had fostered an environment marked by "hatred, threats and fear," particularly affecting marginalised communities including Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, minorities, and other vulnerable groups. He referenced the ongoing unrest in Manipur as an example of social disruption under the BJP’s tenure.

Targeting the government’s economic track record, Kharge criticised major flagship initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India, Stand Up India, Digital India, Namami Gange, and the 100 Smart Cities mission, claiming these programmes had failed to deliver the promised results.

Concluding his remarks, the Congress President said the BJP-led government had spent the past 11 years "rubbing the ink of dictatorship on every page of the Constitution," accusing it of steering the country away from democratic norms.