On the third day of the 18th Lok Sabha, Om Birla of the Bharatiya Janata Party was elected as the Speaker of the House through a voice vote, defeating opposition candidate Kodikkunil Suresh of the Congress. This was a rare contest for the Speaker post as the NDA government and the INDIA group of opposition parties could not reach a consensus. However, Mr. Birla had the majority with the support of the NDA and YSRCP. After his election, he was escorted to the Chair by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Om Birla's Election as Lok Sabha Speaker: A Historic Contest
Introduction: On June 19, 2019, Om Birla of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. This marked a significant political event, as it was the first contested Speaker election in decades.
Background: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha plays a crucial role in the functioning of the Parliament. They preside over the House, maintain order, and interpret the rules of procedure. Traditionally, the Speaker election has been a consensus-based process, with candidates often elected unopposed.
The Contestation: However, the 18th Lok Sabha election saw a rare contest for the Speaker post. The ruling NDA government (led by the BJP) nominated Om Birla, while the opposition Congress party fielded Kodikkunil Suresh. The reason for the contestation was the inability of the NDA and the opposition to reach a consensus on a candidate.
The Election: The election was held through a voice vote, with members of the Lok Sabha raising their hands to indicate their support. Birla emerged victorious, securing 303 votes against Suresh's 183. The victory was largely due to the support of the NDA, as well as the regional YSRCP party.
Impact: Birla's election as Speaker has significant implications for the functioning of the Lok Sabha. As a member of the ruling party, he is likely to play a key role in ensuring the smooth passage of government bills. However, his election has also raised concerns about the potential for partisan bias in the House.
Top 5 FAQs:
Who is Om Birla?
Why was the Speaker election contested this time?
What is the role of the Speaker?
What are the implications of Birla's election as Speaker?
Has there ever been a contested Speaker election before?
In a rally in Bihar, Prime Minister Modi criticized RJD for "seizing land" and not delivering on job promises, sparking a heated response from Tejashwi Yadav. Congress and RJD workers also staged protests, citing PM Modi's failure to revive sugar mills as an example of his unfulfilled promises. Disputes over SPS regulations for India's exports to the EU have also been a topic of negotiation between India and the EU.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Durgapur, launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress and the Mamata Banerjee government. He criticized the mistreatment of women in West Bengal and promised to fix the state's problems by forming a new government. He also announced the inauguration of projects worth Rs 5400 crore and highlighted the importance of Durgapur in the nation's development. With a goal of transforming India by 2047, PM Modi called for development, employment, and good governance.
In a major move towards development in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated major infrastructure projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore. These projects, spanning across various sectors, aim to improve connectivity and overall growth in the state. Highlights include the launch of four new Amrit Bharat trains and the inauguration of multiple rail projects, including automatic signalling on the Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta presented a shocking case to the Karnataka High Court, revealing the dangers of anonymity and lack of editorial accountability on social media platforms. While arguing against a petition challenging the Central government's "Sahyog" portal, Mehta showed a verified fake Twitter account claiming to be the "Supreme Court of Karnataka." The account could easily spread false information and millions of people would believe it to be coming from the actual Supreme Court. This highlights the urgent need for solutions to tackle such new problems posed by the internet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a fiery speech at a rally in Durgapur, West Bengal, calling out the ruling TMC for fostering infiltration and promoting violence in the state. Modi declared that the BJP is the only party that truly values and safeguards the pride of Bengal. He also took a veiled dig at Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of playing divisive vote-bank politics and hindering Bengal's growth. With the upcoming state elections, Modi's bold statements aim to win over the hearts of Bengal's citizens and solidify BJP's foothold in the state.
In a fiery speech at a rally in Motihari, PM Narendra Modi accused the RJD of seizing land from the poor on the false promise of jobs. He claimed that the opposition alliance, which includes the Congress, has neglected the state and its people. The PM also promised to invest Rs 1 lakh crore in providing jobs and employment opportunities across the country. This comes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, with Modi rallying support for the NDA government and vowing to build a new Bihar.
As the West Bengal Assembly elections draw closer, the political battleground is heating up with the fight for Bengali identity and pride taking center stage. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is positioning herself as the defender of Bengali culture and language against the anti-Bengali stance of the BJP. With both sides gearing up for an aggressive campaign, the battle for Bengal is sure to intensify with Bengali asmita as the central issue.
In a shocking political development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, on his birthday, in connection with an alleged money laundering case. The arrest took place following fresh raids conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Congress leaders have accused the Central government of political vendetta and raised questions about the timing of the arrest, which coincided with the final day of the Monsoon Session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly. Party workers gathered outside the ED's office to protest the arrest, with the Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant leading a walkout from the Assembly, stating that they will not be intimidated by central agencies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at a public rally in Bihar's Motihari, highlighting the NDA government's efforts towards the all-round development of the state. He announced the inauguration and foundation laying of development projects worth thousands of crores of rupees. PM Modi also emphasized the need for industrial development in Patna and other cities in eastern India, and highlighted the government's achievements in areas such as women's empowerment and affordable housing in the state.
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the alleged Rs 2,100-crore liquor scam case in Chhattisgarh. This comes after fresh raids were conducted at the Baghel residence in Bhilai and officials found new evidence linking him to the scam. The arrest, which coincided with Chaitanya's birthday, has been labelled as a political vendetta by Bhupesh Baghel and highlights the existence of a structured liquor syndicate within the state's Excise Department.