The opposition INDIA bloc is gearing up to nominate Faizabad Member of Parliament (MP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Awadhesh Prasad for the post of Deputy Speaker in Lok Sabha. Prasad, a seasoned nine-time MLA, emerged victorious in the recent Lok Sabha Election 2024 by defeating Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) two-time MP Lallu Singh in the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat. Notably, Faizabad includes the revered temple city of Ayodhya – the site of the Ram Temple, making it a significant constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
The decision to propose Prasad’s candidacy for the Deputy Speaker position has gained consensus among leaders from top opposition parties, including Congress, SP, and Trinamool Congress, as reported by The Hindu. With SP securing 37 Lok Sabha seats, trailing only behind Congress’ 99 in the 2024 general elections, Prasad’s nomination holds significant weight.
In the 17th Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker position remained vacant during the second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Preceding that, AIADMK’s M Thambi Durai held the position in the 16th Lok Sabha.
While the NDA candidate Om Birla clinched the Speaker’s election by defeating INDIA bloc’s K Suresh, the absence of a Deputy Speaker from the opposition created ripples. Traditionally, if the Speaker hails from the ruling party, as in the case of the 18th Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker is appointed from the opposition. The opposition’s push for the position signifies their strengthened presence in the Lok Sabha.
Despite the opposition’s demands, sources suggest that the Deputy Speaker role in the upcoming session is likely to be filled from the ruling NDA rather than the INDIA bloc, setting the stage for heightened tensions between the opposition and the government.
The allocation of the Deputy Speaker post within the BJP or its allies remains uncertain, with major NDA partners like TDP and JD(U) opting out of the contention for the position. Article 93 of the Constitution stipulates the appointment of a Deputy Speaker but lacks a specified timeline for the selection process.
Looking back at previous terms, during the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2014, the Deputy Speaker role was extended to BJP MPs Charanjit Singh Atwal and Kariya Munda, showcasing a history of bipartisan cooperation in key parliamentary roles.
