The Congress party has voiced strong objections to the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, viewing it as a breach of parliamentary tradition. Normally, the position of pro-tem Speaker, which involves administering oaths to newly elected MPs and overseeing the election of the full-time Speaker, is given to the senior-most member of the House. In this case, Congress MP K Suresh, an eight-term veteran, was seen as the conventional choice.
Source:- India today
Mahtab, who has served as an MP for seven terms, switched allegiance from the Biju Janata Dal to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the 2024 elections. This political shift and the subsequent decision to appoint him have led to accusations from Congress that the ruling party is politicizing the role, which is meant to be impartial and ceremonial. The Congress has argued that this move undermines the non-partisan nature of parliamentary procedures and disregards the seniority convention that traditionally governs the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker.
Source:- news 18
Furthermore, this decision has ignited broader concerns about the erosion of parliamentary norms under the current government. The opposition claims that such actions are indicative of a trend where established protocols are increasingly sidelined in favor of political expediency. This controversy underscores ongoing tensions between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the interpretation and respect of parliamentary conventions
Congress leaders have pointed out that bypassing Suresh not only disregards his seniority but also the symbolic gesture of allowing an opposition member to preside over initial proceedings. The ruling party, however, maintains that Mahtab’s extensive experience justifies his selection, suggesting that continuity and experience were prioritized over mere seniority
Share your views in the comments
