Exciting developments are on the horizon as reports indicate that the 18th Lok Sabha will soon have a Deputy Speaker. However, what’s interesting is that the Deputy Speaker will most likely be from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and not from the Opposition INDIA bloc. This decision, once officially announced, is expected to raise tensions between the opposition and the government in the days ahead.
In the previous term of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in the 17th Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker position was left vacant. Before that, in the 16th Lok Sabha, AIADMK’s M Thambi Durai held the role of Deputy Speaker.
A recent NDTV report cited sources suggesting that the government will soon appoint a Deputy Speaker, with an official announcement anticipated in the near future.
Traditionally, when the Speaker is from the ruling party, as is the case in the 18th Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker is usually from the opposition. Despite the opposition INDIA bloc’s increased strength, their demands for the Deputy Speaker post have been rebuffed by the government, especially after a last-minute contest for the Speaker’s post.
The recent election of NDA candidate Om Birla as the Speaker over INDIA bloc’s K Suresh highlighted the opposition’s desire to make a statement. However, the numbers favored the NDA candidate, ensuring a predictable outcome.
The burning question now is whether the BJP will reserve the Deputy Speaker post for itself or extend it to its allies. Notably, the TDP and JD(U) – key NDA allies – have expressed no interest in claiming the position.
According to the NDTV report, TDP leader and MP from Amalapuram Lok Sabha constituency, Harish Balayogi, is poised to assume the role of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker. His father, GMC Balayogi, previously held the position of Speaker during the NDA’s tenure under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Reflecting on the past, during the two terms of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004 to 2014, BJP MPs Charanjit Singh Atwal and Kariya Munda were offered the post of Deputy Speaker.
