NDA candidate Om Birla elected Speaker of Lok Sabha for 2nd consecutive term
New Delhi: Om Birla, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate and Member of Parliament from Kota, Rajasthan, was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The motion, moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, was adopted through a voice vote amidst resounding 'Ayes' and 'Noes' echoing in the house. Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab officially declared Om Birla as the Speaker of the lower house. Interestingly, the opposition, which had nominated K Suresh as the candidate for the INDIA bloc, chose not to press for a division vote.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi extended his congratulations to Birla and accompanied him to the Speaker's chair, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Prime Minister Modi. The election of the Speaker marked a departure from the traditional consensus-based approach, as the contest between Om Birla and Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term parliamentarian from Kerala, unfolded.
Om Birla, a seasoned politician with three terms as MP from Kota, emerged victorious with the NDA's overwhelming majority in the Lok Sabha, consisting of 293 MPs out of 543. This election held significance as it was the first time in decades that such a contest had taken place for the Speaker's position.
The session of the 18th Lok Sabha commenced on June 24 and will continue until July 3, coinciding with the 264th Session of the Rajya Sabha, which will also conclude on the same day. President Murmu is scheduled to address a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on June 27, marking a significant event in the parliamentary calendar.
Om Birla's ascendancy to the Speaker's chair underscores the NDA's cohesive strength and its ability to assert majority support in crucial parliamentary proceedings. As the new Speaker, Birla assumes a pivotal role in maintaining order, facilitating debates, and upholding the parliamentary traditions of India's lower house.
“Matter of honour that you have been elected to this chair for the second time,” Modi said congratulating Om Birla on behalf of the entire House. The PM said that he is looking forward to Birla’s guidance for next five years
In his speech, Modi also appreciated Birla saying that his smile keeps the entire House happy.
Prior to this, the election for Lok Sabha Speaker had happened only three times in the past; 1952, 1967 and 1976.