With the Lok Sabha election results out, attention turns to who will become the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. Narendra Modi is beginning his third term, leading an NDA coalition government, and there are rumors that coalition partners might want the Speaker's post. In past coalition governments, the Speaker's position has often gone to an alliance partner.
The Lok Sabha Speaker is elected by its members at the start of a new session or when the position is vacant. Any member can propose another for the role, but usually, the Prime Minister suggests a candidate. The members then vote, and the one with the most votes becomes the Speaker.
The Speaker's job is to manage Lok Sabha meetings, keep order, ensure rules are followed, and decide on issues raised during debates. The Speaker also has the final say on parliamentary rules and can cast a deciding vote in case of a tie.
Speakers have made many important and sometimes controversial decisions. For example, in 2014, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 25 Congress MPs for disrupting proceedings, which led to debates about parliamentary privilege and freedom of speech. In 2017, she disqualified rebel AIADMK MPs Sasikala Pushpa and TTV Dhinakaran under the anti-defection law, causing political turmoil in Tamil Nadu.
In 2014, Speaker Meira Kumar allowed the passage of the Telangana Bill amid protests, raising questions about the democratic process. In 2019, Speaker Om Birla extended a session late into the night to pass key bills, which the opposition criticized as lacking adequate debate. During the 2020 monsoon session, Birla suspended Question Hour due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which drew criticism for reducing the opposition's ability to question the government.
The Speaker's discretionary powers, like deciding on the admissibility of questions and motions, often lead to controversy, with opposing parties sometimes accusing the Speaker of bias. As the 18th Lok Sabha begins, the election of the new Speaker will be a key event, given the significant role they play in managing the legislative process and maintaining order in the House.
