‘Let us speak, defend constitution': INDIA bloc MPs to Om Birla on re-election as Lok Sabha Speaker

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re-elected Speaker of Lok Sabha. Birla, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, defeated opposition INDIA bloc candidate K Suresh by a voice vote. The election witnessed rare bonhomie moments between the Treasury (ruling) and Opposition benches.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi walked up to Birla to congratulate him and also shook hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju escorted Birla to the Speaker's chair.Follow Lok Sabha Speaker Election Live Updates HereOm Birla is the only Lok Sabha speaker after Balram Jakhar in 1985 to get two full terms.After the customary ritual, the leaders of the Opposition took turns to congratulate Birla for his election as the Speaker, albeit laced with a message that he will allow Opposition to speak in the new term, as they, too, represent the voice of the people. “We are confident that by allowing the Opposition to speak, you will do your duty of defending the Constitution of India.

The government has political power but the opposition also represents the voice of India's people. It is very important that the voice of the Opposition is allowed to be represented in this House," Rahul Gandhi saidAlso Read: ’Govt may have power but...’: Rahul Gandhi tells Om Birla after his election as Lok Sabha SpeakerThe opposition MPs reminded Birla the issue of ‘150 Opposition members suspended in a day’ in the previous Lok Sabha and urged him to let the voice of Opposition be heard in the House of People. "A lot has been done.

In 5 years, you have done very good work. But when 150 of my colleagues were suspended, we were all saddened. So, it should be an effort to see that you do not think of