📷 Image Credits: Mint
The appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from the Congress party. Mahtab, a seven-term BJP leader, was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu on June 20, deviating from the convention of appointing the senior-most member to the position. The role of the pro-tem Speaker includes administering the oath to newly-elected members and presiding over the Lower House until the Speaker is elected.
The Congress party, through leaders like K C Venugopal and Manickam Tagore, accused the BJP government of disregarding parliamentary norms by overlooking Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term Lok Sabha member, for the position. This move has raised questions about the government’s respect for tradition and seniority in parliamentary proceedings.
In response, the BJP defended the appointment, with IT Cell chief Amit Malviya urging the Congress to accept the election results and move forward. Mahtab’s switch from the BJD to the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections further fueled the debate over the selection process.
The appointment of a pro-tem Speaker is temporary, serving until the Speaker is elected by a simple majority in the House. While convention suggests appointing the senior most member, historical exceptions have been noted in previous appointments. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence on June 24, with oath-taking scheduled for June 24-25 and the Speaker election on June 26.
The controversy surrounding Mahtab’s appointment highlights the ongoing friction between the ruling party and the opposition, setting the stage for a fiery debut session for the 18th Lok Sabha. The clash between political ideologies and traditions underscores the importance of upholding parliamentary norms in a democratic system.
