New Delhi- Om Birla has been elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha following a voice vote in the Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday. The 18th Lok Sabha witnessed a rare and significant contest for the Speaker's post between the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Om Birla and Congress's Kodikunnil Suresh, after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the INDIA group of Opposition parties failed to reach a consensus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi moved the motion to elect Om Birla as the Lok Sabha Speaker. In a notable show of support from the Opposition, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant moved the motion to appoint Kodikunnil Suresh as the Speaker. Despite the spirited challenge, Birla emerged victorious.
This result is seen as a setback for the marginalized Dalit community. Though Birla's victory was almost certain considering the majority votes held by NDA members, the INDIA Bloc sent a positive message by proposing Suresh's name, especially after he was not considered for the protem speaker position.
Kodikunnil Suresh, a prominent Dalit leader, was born into a poor family in Kodikunnil, a village in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram district. He is the youngest son of Kunjan and Thankamma. Rising from his humble beginnings, Suresh earned an LLB degree and embarked on a distinguished political career. Married to Bindu Suresh since June 30, 1994, he is a father of two.
Suresh's political journey began in 1989 when he was first elected as an MP from the Adoor constituency at the age of 27. He secured re-election in 1991, 1996, and 1999, but faced defeats in 1998 and 2004. In 2009, he switched his constituency to Mavelikara and continued his winning streak, despite a legal challenge regarding his caste certificate, which the Supreme Court eventually resolved in his favor.
Throughout his career, Suresh has held significant roles, including Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment and chief whip of the Congress parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha. He is also the acting president of the Kerala Congress.
Om Birla, who secured his seat from Kota, Rajasthan, with a significant margin, is notable for being the first Speaker in two decades to be re-elected to the Lower House.
Born in Kota in 1962, Birla's journey from student politics to the Lok Sabha Speaker in 2019 reflects his dedicated political career.
His tenure saw remarkable achievements, including navigating Parliament through challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic, passing key legislations, and fostering inclusivity with increased participation from women and first-time MPs. However, he was surrounded by many controversies during his first term.
Opposition leaders have pointed out that in the 17th Lok Sabha, a significant portion of laws—35%—were passed with less than an hour of discussion in the Lower House. Additionally, only 16% of bills were referred to House panels for thorough review, a decrease compared to previous Lok Sabhas, as reported by PRS Legislative Research.
More than 100 MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha, with a total of 206 across both Houses facing suspensions. Critics also noted frequent complaints that Sansad TV predominantly focused on the government benches, and there were instances where microphones were turned off during important interventions by the Opposition.
The election of Om Birla as Speaker marks a continued period of BJP dominance in parliamentary proceedings. However, the spirited challenge by Kodikunnil Suresh, backed by the INDIA group, underscores the ongoing contestation and negotiations within Indian politics.
Suresh's defeat is viewed by many as a missed opportunity to elevate a leader from a marginalized community to one of the highest parliamentary positions. Despite this setback, Suresh remains a key figure in Kerala and national politics, known for his advocacy for social justice and development.
As the new Speaker, Om Birla is expected to continue his role in overseeing parliamentary debates and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Lok Sabha, a task of critical importance in India's vibrant democracy.
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