Shortly after NDA candidate Om Birla was chosen to serve as the 18th Lok Sabha’s speaker on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi shook hands in the Parliament.
The two leaders are shown praising Birla in a video released by the news agency ANI. They then exchange smiles and handshakes. Gandhi then escorted Birla to the chair with PM Modi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi, LoP Rahul Gandhi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accompany Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to the chair. pic.twitter.com/3JfKbCH3nC
— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2024
Speaker Om Birla, newly elected, sparks controversy with emergency remarks
It is the House’s fortune, respected speaker, that you are sitting in this chair the second time. I applaud the entire House as well as you. In the name of the House, let me congratulate you. Sitting on this post for the second time at the Amrit Kaal is a great responsibility. While addressing the Lok Sabha, Modi said to Birla, “We hope that you will guide us for the next five years with your experience.”
Due to a lack of agreement between the Congress-led INDIA bloc opposition and the BJP-led NDA government, Birla was elected as the lower chamber of parliament’s speaker by voice vote—the first such vote in decades. There have only ever been three previous elections for this position in history: in 1952, 1967, and 1976. In opposition to Om Birla of the BJP, Kodikunnil Suresh was the Congress’ nominee for Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Modi congratulated Birla and expressed his anticipation for the Speaker’s leadership over the ensuing five years.
Leaders’ Remarks and Expectations
Modi declared that the actions made during Birla’s leadership will go down in parliamentary history as a “golden period.” “…it’s worthwhile learning how to work as an MP. Our young MPs will be motivated by your manner. The whole House is cheered by your lovely smile,” he remarked. Gandhi, meanwhile, congratulated Birla on behalf of the entire Opposition and the INDIA alliance. Gandhi was dressed in a white kurta pajama.
“You are the ultimate arbitrator of the voice of the people of India, which is represented by this House. The opposition reflects the voice of the Indian people as well as the government’s political power, and this time around, it does it with a lot more voice than it did previously, according to the opposition leader. Gandhi added that the opposition wanted to support the Speaker in keeping the lower house operating smoothly.
“The opposition wants to help you with your work. We want the House to run smoothly and frequently. Collaboration needs to be founded in trust. In this House, the voice of the opposition must be permitted to be heard.He stated, “We are confident that you will do your duty of defending the Constitution of India by allowing the Opposition to speak and by allowing us to represent the people of India.”
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