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.
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