Sharad Pawar Talks About Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker Roles
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 25: Sharad Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), emphasized that according to tradition, the Lok Sabha Speaker should be from the ruling party, while the Deputy Speaker should come from the Opposition. This statement comes amid debates over the appointment of the Lok Sabha Speaker.
The opposition INDIA bloc has nominated Congress MP K Suresh for the Speaker’s position, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated Om Birla, who previously served as the Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha.
Pawar mentioned that he had discussions with leaders of the INDIA bloc and suggested they communicate to the ruling party that consensus could be reached on the Speaker’s appointment if the Opposition gets the post of Deputy Speaker. He added, “This is merely my suggestion to them (the INDIA bloc). Even I have no idea what the final decision will be.”
Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader, stated that the Opposition is prepared to support the NDA’s Speaker candidate if the Deputy Speaker position is given to the Opposition. He also criticized the treatment of opposition leaders, alleging disrespect.
The elections for the Speaker’s post will be held on June 26. The NDA, which commands 293 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha, holds a clear majority, while the opposition INDIA bloc comprises 234 MPs.
