Congress and Allies Raise Concern Over Lack of Deputy Speaker in Letter to Om Birla

In a recent move that highlights the ongoing political dynamics in the Indian Parliament, Congress and its allies have expressed growing concern over the delay in the appointment of a Deputy Speaker. The party, along with its coalition partners, has formally raised the issue in a letter addressed to Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. This letter, which underscores the opposition’s frustration, has brought to light the potential political implications of the absence of a Deputy Speaker and the impact it has on the functioning of the lower house of Parliament.

The Absence of a Deputy Speaker

The position of the Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha has remained vacant for an extended period, leading to repeated calls from the opposition to fill this important post. The role of the Deputy Speaker is crucial for ensuring smooth parliamentary proceedings, as they are responsible for maintaining order during debates, overseeing the distribution of speaking time, and stepping in when the Speaker is absent. Traditionally, the Deputy Speaker is elected soon after the formation of the new government. However, the current impasse over the appointment has raised questions about the functioning of the Lok Sabha and the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of parliamentary processes.

Congress, along with other opposition parties, has pointed out that this delay is causing a hindrance to the effective functioning of the Lok Sabha. The absence of a Deputy Speaker has led to confusion and has limited the ability of the Parliament to function in an orderly manner, especially during heated debates and discussions on important bills and issues.

Congress and Allies Express Their Concerns

In their letter to Om Birla, the Congress party, along with its allies from the United Opposition, emphasized the importance of having a Deputy Speaker in place to ensure that the parliamentary process remains transparent, fair, and efficient. The letter stresses that the vacancy is affecting the conduct of business in the House, especially with regard to managing the flow of debates and ensuring that members from all parties are given a fair chance to participate.

Randeep Surjewala, the Congress spokesperson, pointed out that the lack of a Deputy Speaker is becoming an increasingly significant issue. “It is vital for the smooth functioning of the House that the position of Deputy Speaker is filled. The absence of this office has led to confusion and disrupted proceedings, making it difficult for Members of Parliament to have their voices heard,” Surjewala said.

The Congress and its allies also criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its delay in filling the post, accusing the party of using the absence of a Deputy Speaker to gain an unfair advantage in parliamentary proceedings. The opposition has expressed concerns that the absence of the Deputy Speaker has allowed the ruling party to dominate discussions and manipulate parliamentary procedures to its benefit.

Why the Deputy Speaker Matters

The role of the Deputy Speaker is vital to maintaining the decorum of the Lok Sabha. Not only do they help ensure that parliamentary rules are followed, but they also serve as an impartial figure who can provide balance in situations where the Speaker may have a conflict of interest. The Deputy Speaker is supposed to come from a different political party than the ruling government, thus providing a level of political balance and preventing any party from having an undue influence over parliamentary affairs.

In addition to maintaining order during debates, the Deputy Speaker also has the important task of stepping in when the Speaker is absent or incapacitated. This ensures that the business of the House continues without interruption, and the leadership remains in capable hands. Without a Deputy Speaker, the functioning of the House can become disorganized, and parliamentary procedures may be compromised.

Opposition’s Criticism of the Delay

The opposition’s criticism of the delay in appointing a Deputy Speaker is not merely about the vacancy itself but also about the broader implications for India’s democracy. The Congress party and its allies have accused the ruling BJP of deliberately stalling the appointment to avoid giving the opposition a say in the matter. Traditionally, the Deputy Speaker is chosen from among the opposition parties, and the delay in making an appointment has been interpreted by many as a strategy to sideline the opposition’s role in parliamentary proceedings.

Additionally, the delay has raised questions about the government’s commitment to the democratic process. Several opposition leaders have argued that a fully functional Parliament requires the active participation of all parties, including those in opposition, and that denying the opposition an important role in the form of the Deputy Speaker is a troubling sign of the BJP’s autocratic tendencies.

Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress leader, also weighed in on the issue, stating, “The delay in the appointment of a Deputy Speaker is an affront to parliamentary democracy. It is essential for the integrity of the Lok Sabha that all parties, including those in opposition, are represented in key positions. This delay reflects a disregard for parliamentary norms and undermines the democratic process.”

The Government’s Response

While the ruling BJP has not issued a detailed response to the letter from Congress and its allies, government representatives have downplayed the significance of the delay. Some BJP leaders have suggested that the appointment of a Deputy Speaker is a procedural matter that does not hinder the effective functioning of the House. However, this explanation has failed to convince the opposition, which remains insistent on the need for a quick resolution to the issue.

Looking Ahead

The Congress-led coalition and its allies are expected to continue pressuring Om Birla and the BJP to address the issue of the Deputy Speaker’s appointment. With the monsoon session of Parliament approaching, the opposition is likely to escalate its demands, calling for immediate action to fill the post and restore normalcy to parliamentary proceedings.

As the issue remains unresolved, it serves as a reminder of the deepening political divide in India and the increasing challenges to the smooth functioning of the country’s democratic institutions. The continued delay in appointing a Deputy Speaker may further exacerbate tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, making it more difficult to conduct meaningful discussions on critical issues facing the country.