GUWAHATI: BJP nominee Om Birla has been re-elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on June 26. The NDA candidate secured the position in a voice vote held in the House on Wednesday, defeating the INDIA bloc's candidate K Suresh. The ruling coalition's numbers ensured Birla's retention of the Speaker's post.
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Following his victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated Birla and escorted him to the Speaker's chair. PM Modi highlighted Birla’s previous term experience, noting it would be beneficial in guiding the country.
Both the NDA and INDIA factions had earlier moved motions to elect a Speaker, but the ruling party and the opposition failed to reach a consensus. Traditionally, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha are elected based on mutual agreement.
Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, served as the Speaker in the previous 17th Lok Sabha. K Suresh, the Congress candidate, has served eight terms representing Kerala's Mavelikara constituency, making him the longest-serving parliamentarian in the 18th Lok Sabha.
Following this election, President Murmu will address a joint session of both houses of Parliament on June 27.