The Lok Sabha has found its Speaker for the new term. Om Birla, the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, will continue to oversee the proceedings in the 18th Lok Sabha. After being selected for a consecutive term, Om Birla was escorted to the chair by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. A wave of congratulations and good wishes began as soon as Birla resumed his position. Leaders of the ruling coalition, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lauded speaker Om Birla profusely, while the opposition did not hold back their taunts.
Upon reaching the Speaker's dais, Protem Speaker Bhartṛhari Mahtab greeted Om Birla for being elected for the second consecutive time. The House welcomed Speaker Om Birla with wishes and cheers, alongside the occasional sarcasm. PM Modi congratulated Om Birla and expressed confidence that he would guide us all for the next five years. According to our scriptures, a humble and well-mannered person is destined for success. And you have also been gifted with a smile. Your sweet smile has always been a source of joy for us. Seeing you as Speaker again, we are witnessing the creation of new records.
What PM said in praise of the Speaker
PM Modi further said that Balram Jakhar was re-appointed as Speaker after completing a five-year tenure. After him, you are the one who got this opportunity. You have come here as a victor, setting a new precedent. Most of us MPs are familiar with you. The way you have conducted yourself as an MP is also worthy of admiration and learning. Recalling Om Birla's previous term, he mentioned that you phoned every single MP during the COVID crisis to check on them. Productivity of the House was kept at 107 percent during this tough time, which is significant news for the world. We hope that everyone will follow the rules of the House. You have had to make tough decisions. I know such decisions can be painful, but you have favored the dignity of the House over personal discomfort.
From Anupriya to Chirag, these leaders sang praises
In addition to PM Modi, leaders from the NDA parties lavished praise on Speaker Om Birla. Anupriya Patel from Apna Dal (S), Chirag Paswan from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Shiv Sena's AC Barne, Janasena Party's Balashouri Vallabhaneni, independent MP Rajesh Ranjan Pappu Yadav, and Bharat Adivasi Party's Rajkumar Raut congratulated Om Birla upon his selection. These leaders acknowledged Om Birla's contributions to managing the House's proceedings over the past five years. Chirag also offered advice to the opposition regarding the Speaker-Deputy Speaker positions, stating that if one finger points out, others may point back.
Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav made jibes
Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, congratulated Om Birla on his election as Speaker, stating that the opposition wishes to cooperate with the government. He asserted that while the government has more political power, the opposition also represents India. He believes Birla will allow them to raise their voice. Suppressing the voice of the opposition is undemocratic. Rahul Gandhi assured that the opposition would fully support Birla. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav, leader of the Samajwadi Party in Parliament, congratulated Om Birla and commented that his chair is akin to the Chief Justice of democracy.
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Akhilesh stated that impartiality is the great responsibility of this prestigious role. He expressed hope that as Lok Sabha Speaker, Birla would give everyone an equal chance. He added that while the opposition is often under scrutiny, the ruling party should also remain accountable. Akhilesh humorously noted that the House should run on Birla's cues and not the other way around; re-election shouldn't lead to events like the expulsion of representatives. No representative's voice should be suppressed.
Also read: Om Birla re-elected as Lok Sabha Speaker, decision by voice vote, escorted to the chair by Modi-Rahul
NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule praised Om Birla's tenure as Speaker and expressed discontent when 150 members were suspended, hoping such suspensions aren't considered in the next five years. She reminded that it's not the responsibility of the members to conduct the House, but that of the Treasury bench.
Owaisi commented - The character of the House has changed
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi congratulated Om Birla and hoped that small parties would also get a chance to voice their concerns. He mentioned that the character of the House has changed. The BJP will not be able to steamroll, and he hoped the government would alleviate Birla's burden by appointing a Deputy Speaker. National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi congratulated Om Birla and said, "You have but one party, the Constitution. You will not be remembered for the P20, but for how much you compel the Treasury bench to listen to the opposition."
