NEW DELHI: With the conclusion of the election season in India, the Lok Sabha session has now commenced, marked by the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MPs and the first-ever Lok Sabha Speaker elections. Wednesday, June 26, marks a historic moment as the first Speaker elections were held, contested by a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, and an eight-time MP from Kerala’s Mavelikara.
The election was won by Om Birla, who secured victory and was welcomed by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi was also seen shaking hands with Om Birla and PM Modi after Birla’s win.
Any Body Language expert available? pic.twitter.com/4QSAyTjCPv
— Reshma Alam (@Reshma_alamD) June 26, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the House following Om Birla’s win, stating, “Respected Speaker, it is the good fortune of the House that you are occupying this Chair for the second time. I congratulate you and the entire House.”
Om Birla has assumed the chair as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second consecutive term. He was backed by the NDA and won after a voice vote. The BJP and Congress issued a three-line whip, instructing all their MPs to be present in the House from 11 a.m. onward.
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The election was held with the voice votes respective to the number of MPs in attendance and participation. The choice of Speaker was dependent on the majority, which favoured the NDA as they have a decisive majority of 293 members while the INDIA Alliance holds 243 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha, with a total of 535 MPs voting today.
It has started, Rahul Gandhi Ji was seen for the first time with Narendra Modi in any parliamentary procedure. 🔥
He congratulated the speaker. And it’s gonna continue.
Congratulations LoP @RahulGandhi Ji! pic.twitter.com/iQP5tLeDQn
— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) June 26, 2024
According to the opposition, the election was mandated for them as they were not given a proper reply over the post of Deputy Speaker, which is supposed to be given to them. Recently, both parties were also found to be engaged in arguments.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that there has not been a single discussion between the opposition and the government over the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker post, which is traditionally given to the opposition, and that they did not give any assurance. The BJP, on the other hand, has denied these allegations.