‘We didn’t ask for division of votes': Cong on Om Birla's election as Lok Sabha Speaker via voice vote

The opposition INDIA bloc, which had fielded eight-term Congress MP K Suresh against Birla for the Speaker's post, did not press for a division of vote

Published on: Jun 26, 2024, 15:01:29 IST

By HT News Desk

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National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee Om Birla was on Wednesday elected as the Lok Sabha speaker for the second time through a voice vote. It is for the fifth time that a speaker will serve beyond the tenure of one Lok Sabha.

The opposition INDIA bloc, which had fielded eight-term Congress MP Kodikkunil Suresh against Birla for the Speaker's post, did not press for a division vote in the House.

Lok Sabha Speaker Election LIVE Coverage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju escort Om Birla to the chair after the latter was elected as the Speaker of the House during the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, (PTI)

“I am telling you formally, we didn't ask for division of votes...We didn't ask for it because we found it appropriate that there be a consensus on the first today, that there be an atmosphere of consensus on the first day. This was a constructive step from our end. We could have asked for division (of votes),” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told ANI.

ALSO READ: Suspense over deputy speaker’s post continues amid NDA, Opposition stand-off

However, some opposition MPs objected to Birla's election through a voice vote. “The rule says if any member of the House asks for division, the Pro-tem Speaker in this case has to allow for a division. You can clearly see and hear from the footage of Lok Sabha that several members of the Opposition camp sought a division and asked for a division to put the motion to vote and the motion was adopted without putting the motion to vote,” Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee said.

ALSO READ: Newly elected Speaker Om Birla triggers row with Emergency remark

“This is a clear testament to the fact that the ruling dispensation, BJP does not have the numbers. This government is running without the numbers. It's illegal, immoral, unethical and unconstitutional and people of the country have already shown them the door. It's just a matter of time before they're shown the door again,” the TMC leader added.

TMC MP Kirti Azad, representing Bardhaman-Durgapur, said,"NDA did not have the numbers, and at least eight members asked them for a division... its video has emerged... but they finished with ayes! It is clear that the democracy is being strangled."

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said,"As far as the election is concerned, when the Parliamentary traditions were disregarded, we registered our protest in a democratic manner - that the Deputy Speaker should be from Opposition. They didn't do it...As far as division (of votes) is concerned, why did the ruling side and its allies not demand it?"

What NDA govt said on voice vote to elect Om Birla

Union minister and Janata Dal (United) MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh told PTI,"How can division happen through voice vote? Even we wanted a division, but the Congress itself accepted the voice vote in a minute."

Everyone knows that the NDA is firmly running the government. It's the opposition who needs to be afraid because many of their MPs were in touch with us... possibly if there was a division, then they would have voted for us," Union minister and LJP(RV) MP Chirag Paswan said.

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HT News Desk
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