Om Birla of the BJP has been elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second time, prevailing over Congress nominee K Suresh after consensus efforts between the ruling party and the Opposition faltered.
After his victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accompanied Om Birla to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair, with the Prime Minister noting, “Matter of honor that you have been elected to this chair for the second time.”
Significance of the Lok Sabha Speaker’s Role
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the head and principal spokesperson of the lower house, presiding over sessions and setting the agenda. Responsible for maintaining order, the Speaker decides on parliamentary motions such as adjournments and no-confidence votes.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha interprets and implements the rules of the house. They determine which questions will be addressed during sessions and ascertain whether a proposed legislation qualifies as a Money Bill. Additionally, the Speaker oversees the formation of Lok Sabha committees. In instances of tied votes, the Speaker has the authority to cast a deciding vote to resolve deadlocks.
In India’s parliamentary system, unlike many others, the Speaker doesn’t need to relinquish their party affiliation upon assuming office, though they are expected to be impartial during House proceedings.
As Gautam Bhatia, a Delhi-based advocate, wrote for Hindustan Times (HT), the Opposition’s job is to challenge the ruling government in Parliament and “perform the vital function of oversight”.
“Now, the proceedings in the House – which enable the Opposition to perform its functions – are under the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the Speaker…Thus, the ability of the Opposition to do its job effectively requires the Speaker to be non-partisan,” Bhatia said in the piece.
The Speaker’s role has become crucial with the rise in defection cases. They decide on member disqualifications, serving as the final authority. Bhatia emphasized that if the Speaker delays or handles disqualification petitions unfairly, it could render the anti-defection law ineffective, enabling horse-trading.
The role of the Speaker becomes crucial in protecting political parties from attempts by their opponents to engage in ‘horse-trading’.
Can the Speaker be removed?
Yes.
According to Article 94 of the Constitution, the Lok Sabha Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of members of the lower house.
Such a resolution can be proposed only if at least 14 days prior notice is given about the intention to move the resolution, noted India Today.