Kharge writes to PM Modi demanding urgent election; BJP likely to favour ally over opposition
The absence of a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha has sparked a fresh political debate, with the opposition accusing the government of disregarding parliamentary traditions. While the ruling BJP appears in no hurry to fill the post, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has escalated the issue by writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate elections for the position.
The Deputy Speaker plays a crucial role in presiding over the House in the Speaker’s absence. Though the last Lok Sabha functioned without one, opposition leaders argue that the constitutional position should not remain vacant indefinitely. Kharge, in his letter, emphasized that the delay undermines parliamentary decorum and demanded swift action.
The Congress insists that, by convention, the Deputy Speaker’s post should go to an opposition member. However, the BJP has previously broken this norm—in 2014, it appointed AIADMK’s Thambidurai, an NDA ally, to the post. This time, speculation suggests the BJP may offer the position to another ally, such as the TDP or Shiv Sena, rather than the opposition.
TDP’s Claim? The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key BJP ally, has shown loyalty by supporting the BJP in Andhra Pradesh. However, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has not aggressively pushed for the post. Shiv Sena’s Chance? Eknath Shinde’s faction has seven MPs but remains overlooked for the role.
JD(U)’s Position? With Harivansh already serving as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, the BJP may not grant JD(U) another high-profile post.
The BJP-led government maintains that the Speaker and a panel of presiding officers can manage House proceedings efficiently. Yet, opposition parties warn that delaying the appointment could lead to confrontations in the upcoming Monsoon Session.
As pressure mounts, the BJP must decide whether to uphold tradition by accommodating the opposition or reward an ally. With the opposition poised to turn this into a major issue, the Deputy Speaker’s post has become the latest flashpoint in India’s political battleground.