📷 Image Credits: Onmanorama
In a significant development, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and Mavelikkara MP Kodikkunnil Suresh is poised to take on the role of Protem Speaker in the upcoming session of the 18th Lok Sabha. This marks his eighth term as an MP and fourth win from Mavelikkara, setting a new record for the highest number of terms as an MP from Kerala. The first session of the Lok Sabha is set to commence on June 24, with new members taking oath before the Protem Speaker. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to move the motion for election of the Speaker on June 26, followed by President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on June 27.
The opposition, particularly the INDIA bloc, is actively pushing for the Deputy Speaker post, traditionally held by a member of the opposition party. With the increased strength of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, the demand for the Deputy Speaker position has gained momentum. The potential contest for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, should the government not agree to have an opposition leader as Deputy Speaker, could mark a significant shift in parliamentary proceedings.
The history of Speaker elections in India dates back to 1954, with Vitthalbhai Patel winning the first-ever Speaker election against T Rangachariar by a narrow margin. Despite this, Speaker appointments have predominantly been based on consensus, with only a few exceptions such as GS Dhillon, MA Ayyangar, Balram Jakhar, and GMC Balayogi, who retained their positions for consecutive terms.
As the countdown begins for the historic Speaker election, Kodikkunnil Suresh’s role as Protem Speaker takes on crucial importance. His leadership in overseeing the oath-taking of new members and laying the groundwork for the election of the Speaker signifies a pivotal moment in the parliamentary landscape of India. With the opposition bloc intensifying its push for key positions in the Lok Sabha, the upcoming session promises to be a defining chapter in the political trajectory of the nation.
