ANI
New Delhi: In a significant political development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has proposed Awadhesh Prasad, the newly elected MP from Ayodhya, for the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament. This proposal was discussed over a phone call with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh as confirmed by top sources within the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Traditionally, the position of Deputy Speaker is offered to the opposition. However, Mamata Banerjee's suggestion of Awadhesh Prasad, a Samajwadi Party (SP) MP who recently triumphed in the Ayodhya (Faizabad) seat, poses a unique challenge for the BJP government. This move comes amidst the Congress party's aspirations for the same post, adding to the complexity of the decision.
Meanwhile INDIA bloc remains firm in their demand for the Deputy Speaker position. They insist on this appointment as a matter of democratic principle. However, the NDA government has shown reluctance to concede the position to the opposition without conducting elections, prompting the opposition to field their own candidate in the Speaker election.
In the recent Lok Sabha elections, SP candidate Awadhesh Prasad secured a decisive victory in the Faizabad seat, defeating BJP candidate Lallu Singh by a margin of 54,567 votes. Prasad garnered 554,289 votes, while Singh received 499,722 votes.
The Deputy Speaker holds a position of significant authority and responsibility. According to Article 95 of the Constitution, the Deputy Speaker assumes the duties of the Speaker in their absence or when the post is vacant. The Deputy Speaker possesses the same powers as the Speaker, ensuring the smooth functioning of parliamentary proceedings.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Majhi have both voiced their discontent with the NDA government's approach. Tiwari emphasized that their protest was symbolic and democratic, reflecting the opposition's demand for a fair distribution of parliamentary roles.
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