📷 Image Credits: Mint
The recent appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the Speaker Protem of Lok Sabha has stirred up controversy and opposition within the political sphere. Mahtab, a seven-term Lok Sabha MP and a prominent figure in Odisha’s political landscape, has been appointed to perform the duties of the Lok Sabha presiding officer until the election of the Speaker. This move, announced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, has raised concerns among opposition leaders, particularly Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who questioned the deviation from the convention of appointing the MP with the most terms to the position. Ramesh highlighted that traditionally, the senior-most MPs in the house, like Kodikunnil Suresh from the INC, should have been considered for the role. The decision to appoint Mahtab, who recently switched from the Biju Janta Dal to the BJP, has sparked discussions regarding parliamentary norms and the underlying motives behind the selection process. Despite Mahtab’s experience and contributions as an MP, the choice to bypass more senior members has raised eyebrows within the political spectrum. The appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker is a significant development in the lead-up to the election of the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, scheduled to take place on June 26th.
