Kharge Urges PM Modi to Initiate Deputy Speaker Election

New Delhi, June 10 (PTI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to commence the process for electing a Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Kharge emphasized that leaving this position unfilled doesn't bode well for India's democratic framework and breaches established constitutional provisions.

"Honourable Prime Minister, I am writing to draw your attention to the pressing issue concerning the persistent vacancy of the Deputy Speaker post in the Lok Sabha," Kharge stated.

He referred to Article 93 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates the election of both a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of the People, pointing out that constitutionally, the Deputy Speaker ranks as the second-highest presiding officer in the House after the Speaker.

Kharge highlighted the tradition wherein the Deputy Speaker is usually elected by the second or third session of a newly formed Lok Sabha.

The election procedure is akin to that of the Speaker; however, the date for the Deputy Speaker's election is determined by the Speaker, in accordance with Rule 8(1) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, he mentioned.

In his correspondence to the Prime Minister, Kharge observed that from the first to the sixteenth Lok Sabha, every House has had a Deputy Speaker.

He remarked that traditionally, it’s well-established to appoint the Deputy Speaker from the principal opposition party.

"Nevertheless, for the first time in independent India’s history, the position has been left vacant for two consecutive Lok Sabha terms. No Deputy Speaker was chosen during the seventeenth Lok Sabha, and this troubling precedent persists in the current eighteenth Lok Sabha," Kharge stated.

He reiterated that this scenario does not favor India's democratic polity and violates the Constitution's explicit provisions.

"In light of the above and to uphold the esteemed traditions of the House alongside the democratic ethos of our Parliament, I urge you to promptly initiate the election process for the Lok Sabha's Deputy Speaker," he insisted.

Kharge's call to action coincides with Parliament’s upcoming Monsoon session slated to begin on July 21.

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