NDA likely to keep Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker's post; may announce candidate soon
NDA likely to keep Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker's post; may announce candidate soon
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to announce the candidate for the post of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker -- which has been lying vacant since the last five years-- soon. The ruling party is looking at keeping the post to itself, NDTV reported citing sources.
The development comes a day after BJP MP Om Birla was re-elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker for a second consecutive term. The Opposition had fielded K Suresh as its candidate for the position after the BJP refused to give any commitment to them over their demand for the post of Deputy Speaker.
On June 26, BJP's Kota MP Om Birla was re-elected as the Speaker of Lok Sabha after winning a rare election against the Opposition candidate and Kerala Congress MP K Suresh. He won by voice vote.
All eyes will now be on the selection of Deputy Speaker, a position which the Opposition has been demanding, since the commencement of the 18th Lok Sabha.
Roles and responsibilities of a Deputy Speaker:
The Deputy Speaker is elected from among the members of the Lok Sabha and holds an independent position. They are not the actual subordinate of the speaker since both are elected from among the members of the House.
The election of the Deputy Speaker is conducted after the Speaker has been named.
In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker is required to perform the duties of the office of the Speaker and preside over the sitting of the House and also the joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament and exercises the powers of the Speaker.
Similar to the Speaker, his/her Deputy also gets to cast the deciding vote if there is a tie during voting within Parliament or between both houses.