Meet Bhartruhari Mahtab, newly appointed speaker of the Lower House

Bhartruhari Mahtab, the member of Lok Sabha has been appointed as the speaker pro team under the Article 95(1) of the Indian Constitution by the President, Draupadi Murmu under the parliamentary procedures as the new term of the government has begun with the formation of Lok Sabha. Mahtab will be holding the responsibilities of the speaker of the house temporarily. 

Who is Bhartruhari Mahtab? 

Mahtab was born on September 8, 1957. He is the son of the former Chief Minister of Odisha, Dr. Harekrishna Mahtab. He was part of BJD (Biju Janta Dal) in beginning years of politics. On March 28, 2024, Mahtab left BJD and joined the Bhartiya Janta Party. He has had a political career spanning over two decades, in which he has won multiple times from Cuttack, Odisha, serving the constituency from 1998. He has been re- elected again in the years 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024 respectively. 

Mahtab has earned immense respect because of his contribution to the legislative assembly. He has been bestowed upon with multiple awards, including Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 2017 and Sansad Ratna, an award bestowed upon an MP for excellent debates put forward in the house and Mahtab won the latter for four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020. 

Role of Speaker Protem

• Presiding over meetings until a permanent speaker is appointment.
• Looking after the oath taking of the newly appointed administration.
• Conducting elections for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
• Ensure moral code of conduct is maintained in the lower house in the initial days 
• Ensure that the floor test is conducted to ensure the majority required for the formation of the government.

Announcement 

Kiran Rijiju, the minister for Parliamentary Affairs, posted on his X handle, " President is pleased to appoint Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Member, Lok Sabha as Speaker Protem under Article 95(1) of the Constitution to perform the duties of Speaker till election of the Speaker. President is also pleased to appoint Shri Suresh Kodikunnil, Shri Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste and Shri Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Members of Lok Sabha under Article 99 of the Constitution, to assist Speaker Protem in Oath/Affirmation to newly elected Members of 18th Lok Sabha till election of the Speaker.''.