Congress MP Pramod Tiwari Criticizes Appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as Pro-tem Speaker
New Delhi, India – Congress MP Pramod Tiwari has criticized the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. Tiwari argued that this decision insults the entire House and the democratic process, as it disregards the traditional practice of selecting the most senior MP for the position.
Tiwari pointed out that K Suresh, an eight-time MP, was overlooked in favor of Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term MP. He stated, “What is the reason that a person who has been an MP for 8 times was not made the pro-tem Speaker and a person who has been an MP for 7 times was made the pro-tem Speaker? I believe that somewhere in this, an attempt has been made to bring dictatorship in the name of democracy. This is an insult to the entire House, democracy.”
The pro-tem Speaker’s role is to administer the oath to newly elected members and oversee the proceedings of the House until a permanent Speaker is elected. President Droupadi Murmu appointed Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker and also appointed Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay to assist in the oath-taking process.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also objected to the decision, stating that by convention, the longest-serving MP should be appointed as the pro-tem Speaker. He noted that Kodikunnil Suresh, who is entering his eighth term, should have been given the role. Instead, Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term MP, was chosen.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore echoed these sentiments, calling the decision a mistake and questioning the intentions of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
According to Article 94 of the Constitution, the office of the Speaker becomes vacant immediately before the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha. In such cases, the duties of the Speaker are performed by a Member of the House appointed by the President as Speaker pro tem. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will start on June 24, and the Rajya Sabha session will begin on June 27.
