Om Birla, who has been chosen as the Speaker of Lok Sabha again, has usually been known as a person with pleasing personality and a smiling face. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also mentioned his smiling image in his speech. However, it’s no surprise that the Speaker also loses his cool at times.
This stance was visible on Thursday. Birla now understands and accepts that his second innings is not going to be a cake walk. He will have to face more challenges ahead. that there would be more challenges ahead. Therefore, he is preparing a tough ground for smooth functioning of the parliament with his strict attitude. He seems to be creating an image of a tough task master right from the beginning.
He exhibited his disciplinarian attitude by giving a piece of his mind to a member who tried to direct the Speaker. As the member Deepender Hooda raised objection, he instantly took charge of the situation and assertively asked him to take his seat. He clearly conveyed to the member to understand, on whom and when to raise objections. Hooda was aware that his boss, Rahul Gandhi, was in the House, so he seized the opportunity. He stood up and began addressing the Speaker, raising an objection on his boss’s favorite topic.
Today, Congress member Shashi Tharoor took his oath, following his leader Rahul Gandhi’s campaign to save the Constitution. Tharoor, holding a book of the Constitution, shouted slogans of “Jai Samvidhan, Jai Hind,” causing a commotion in the House.
Speaker Birla remarked that all members take their oath on the Constitution, which prompted Congress members, including Deepender Hooda, to stand up and insist there should be no objection.
Birla, visibly angry, responded that their advice was not needed and told them to sit down. Birla had never shown such anger in his five-year tenure.
The Congress made an issue of the objection to “Jai Samvidhan,” with Priyanka Gandhi even tweeting against the government. The situation in Modi’s third term has changed significantly; unlike the previous terms with a clear majority, the current government relies on the support of others, making the House more contentious. The opposition has doubled in number and is determined to seize every opportunity. Birla seems to understand that he must be stricter this time. Prime Minister Modi has entrusted him with another term, believing that Birla can manage the challenges ahead.
