Why in News ?
With the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha likely to commence in the third week of June, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chandrababu Naidu and the Janata Dal (United) led by Nitish Kumar the two key allies of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are said to be vying for the post of Speaker.
Powers of Lok Sabha Speaker ?
The Speaker has the final authority to decide the conduct of business in the House and prior permission is required for members to ask a question, or to discuss even any matter. As a result, he or she retains the power to expunge, in full or in part, remarks that might be considered unparliamentary or even critical of the ruling dispensation.
It is also the Speaker’s decision that determines whether a Bill should be certified as a Money Bill — over which the Rajya Sabha exercises limited powers.
Constitutional authority
The post of Speaker, the constitutional and ceremonial head of the Lok Sabha, usually goes to the ruling alliance while a member of the Opposition party conventionally holds the Deputy Speaker’s post.
Article 93 of the Constitution stipulates that the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker must be elected “as soon as may be” after the commencement of the House. However, the Constitution does not specify a time limit or process for conducting elections for the post of Speaker.
The Speaker is elected by a simple majority vote and his or her term concludes with the dissolution of the House unless they resign or are removed from office earlier.
A Speaker can be removed through disqualification proceedings or a no-confidence motion in the House. However, as per Article 94 of the Constitution, such a resolution can only be moved after a 14-day notice. Following their removal, a Speaker is allowed to attend the proceedings but is not permitted to preside over them.
Today’s News :
Defections can alter the numbers in the House and can potentially lead to a government’s collapse. As a result, the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) was introduced as a safety valve for India’s multiparty democracy.
However, in recent times, critics have flagged that the Speaker remains a biased functionary of the ruling dispensation despite occupying a constitutional position.
However, this is not the first time that the TDP is pursuing the Speaker’s chair. In 1998, Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi was handpicked by Mr. Naidu to become the youngest and first Dalit Speaker of the Lok Sabha.