Om Birla has been elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second consecutive time, making him the first BJP leader to serve in this coveted position for two terms. The election was conducted by voice vote, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House, Rahul Gandhi, congratulating him after he assumed the post. The NDA's majority was in favor of Birla, with 297 MPs voting for him, while the Opposition's candidate, Congress MP K. Suresh, received 232 votes. This is a significant win for the BJP and Birla, who have worked to gain the support of opposition parties for his candidacy.
Om Birla: A Stalwart of the BJP and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Om Birla, a seasoned politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for the second consecutive term, making him the first BJP leader to hold this prestigious position for two terms.
Early Life and Political Career
Om Birla was born on 23 November 1962 in Kota, Rajasthan. He graduated with a law degree from Maharana Mewar College and entered politics in 1991 as a member of the BJP's youth wing.
Birla's political journey gained momentum when he was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in 2003. He served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Sports and later as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. In 2014, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Kota-Bundi constituency and was appointed Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
Speaker of the Lok Sabha
In 2019, Om Birla was elected as the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha. He played a crucial role in ensuring smooth functioning of the House during its tenure. His impartiality and commitment to upholding the dignity of the legislature earned him widespread respect across party lines.
Following the 2024 general elections, Birla was again elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. This election marks a significant milestone in his political career and reflects the trust and confidence that both the government and the opposition have in his leadership.
Top 5 FAQs Related to Om Birla
Q1: What is the significance of Om Birla's second consecutive term as Speaker? A: Birla is the first BJP leader to serve two consecutive terms as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, a testament to his impartial leadership and the trust he has earned from both the government and the opposition.
Q2: What are the key responsibilities of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha? A: The Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha, ensures the smooth functioning of the House, interprets the rules of procedure, and protects the rights and privileges of the members.
Q3: How was Om Birla elected as Speaker? A: Birla was elected through a voice vote, with 297 MPs supporting his candidature while the opposition candidate received 232 votes.
Q4: What are some of Om Birla's achievements as Speaker? A: During his first term as Speaker, Birla introduced several reforms to streamline parliamentary proceedings, including live-streaming of question hours and allowing members to ask supplementary questions. He also played a key role in promoting dialogue and consensus-building across party lines.
Q5: What are Om Birla's priorities for his second term as Speaker? A: Birla has stated that he will continue to focus on enhancing the accountability of the government, facilitating constructive debates, and preserving the dignity and decorum of the Lok Sabha.
BR Patil, Congress MLA from Karnataka's Aland, has claimed that there was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to steal votes leading up to the 2023 elections in the state. This allegation, backed by evidence of over 6,000 voter deletions, has been supported by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who has accused the BJP of systematically deleting the names of Congress voters. The BJP has denied these allegations, calling it a ploy by the Congress to discredit them and gain political mileage. However, Gandhi has hinted at more significant revelations to come.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, slammed the Karnataka government for the deteriorating state of Bengaluru's infrastructure, which has resulted in an IT company moving out of the city. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for their negligence and corruption. Kumaraswamy appealed to the industries not to leave Bengaluru and promised to rebuild the city. He also called out the government for their failure in utilizing taxpayers' money for development and demanded answers for the same.
In a press conference, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi unveiled evidence showing a widespread conspiracy to delete voters from electoral rolls in India. He presented examples and detailed data indicating that the alleged operations were carried out through automated systems and coordinated at a centralized level. Gandhi claimed that these tactics were used to manipulate elections in several states, and also accused the Election Commission of facilitating this voter deletion.
During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of aiding the suppression of votes belonging to marginalized communities like Dalits and minorities. The Election Commission denied the allegations, stating that no vote can be deleted online without proper procedures and investigation. However, the poll body did acknowledge failed attempts to delete votes in Karnataka's Aland constituency in 2023 and an FIR has been filed to investigate. The Congress leader claimed that the Election Commission is purposely obstructing investigations to hide the truth about these deletions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again stirred up controversy by accusing the BJP and Election Commission of systematic voter fraud through manipulation of electoral rolls. In response, BJP MP Anurag Thakur fired back, accusing Gandhi of spreading baseless allegations and undermining democracy. The Election Commission has dismissed all of Gandhi's claims, citing that no voter's name can be deleted through online means without proper procedure.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi is set to address a press conference on Thursday, where he is expected to present evidence of alleged vote theft in Indian elections. Gandhi has been vocal about the issue in previous speeches, accusing the government of using unfair means to form their power. He also claimed that the Election Commission is working in collaboration with the ruling party. The Congress promised to provide proof to back their claims and expose corruption in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka.
The centre has directed the removal of 138 YouTube videos and 83 Instagram posts related to Adani, citing a Delhi court order. The move comes amid ongoing disputes over the Adani Group's involvement in various projects. This action has been met with criticism, with some questioning the government's interference in online content.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi revealed that the party has uncovered over 6,000 voter deletions in Aland constituency, Karnataka, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections. According to their investigation, these deletions were not random or accidental but specifically targeted booths where the party was performing strongly. The deletions were carried out through fake applications and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka, raising concerns of an organized effort to manipulate the election process. Congress is calling for a thorough investigation to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of protecting those involved in "vote chori" (vote stealing) and undermining democracy. He cited recent instances of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland and fraudulent additions in Maharashtra's Rajura as evidence of systematic targeting of Congress voters. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi urged for a fair and transparent election process to uphold the principles of democracy.
Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, held a news conference and claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner is protecting those who are destroying the Constitution and democracy in India. He also alleged that a group of people is systematically cutting the votes of minority groups who vote for the Congress party. In response, politicians from different parties have dismissed his accusations and stated that he is making these statements out of desperation and frustration.