On Wednesday, Om Birla was elected as the Speaker of the newly formed 18th Lok Sabha. This marks his second term as Speaker, having previously served in the 17th Lok Sabha. Birla, who represents Kota in Parliament, was up against K Suresh from the INDI alliance.
However, the opposition did not demand a division vote, and Birla was elected through a voice vote. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh moved and seconded the motion for his election.
#WATCH | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla says "I want to thank PM Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiu and all the members of the House for giving me the opportunity to work as the Speaker of the House again. I want to thank everyone for showing trust in me…" pic.twitter.com/F2ZInmA3YE
— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2024
In his address to the House, Om Birla emphasized the need for the Lok Sabha to work towards meeting the people’s aspirations. He highlighted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, under PM Modi’s leadership, has been elected for a third consecutive term.
Birla noted that over the past decade, the expectations of the people have increased, and it is the responsibility of the members to strive collectively to meet these expectations.
Birla described the 18th Lok Sabha as the world’s largest celebration of democracy. He expressed gratitude to the more than 64 crore voters who participated in the elections, despite various challenges. Birla also thanked the Election Commission for conducting the elections in a fair, unbiased, and transparent manner, ensuring that even remote areas were able to cast their votes.
During his speech, Birla condemned the Congress-led government’s decision to impose an Emergency in 1975. The House observed a two-minute silence to honor those who lost their lives during this period. Birla called June 25, 1975, a black chapter in India’s history, criticizing then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for attacking the Constitution and imposing dictatorship on India. He praised the determination of those who opposed the Emergency and fought to protect democracy.
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Despite Birla’s speech, opposition parties continued to protest, chanting slogans of “Stop Dictatorship.” The session was eventually adjourned until June 27.
As the new Speaker, Om Birla will be responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of the Lok Sabha. His focus will be on maintaining decorum, facilitating debates, and ensuring that the legislative process is carried out effectively.
The House, with its newly elected members, has a significant role to play in shaping the future of the country and addressing the aspirations of its citizens.
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