New Delhi: On Wednesday, BJP leader and NDA candidate Om Birla was elected as the speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, defeating INDIA bloc’s candidate K Suresh in a voice vote.
Birla is the first Lok Sabha Speaker since Balram Jakhar in 1985 to secure two consecutive full terms. The motions to elect the speaker were put forth by both NDA and INDIA factions, although traditionally, the speaker and deputy speaker were chosen by consensus between the ruling party and the opposition.
Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, previously served as the speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha. K Suresh of the Congress, an eight-term MP representing Kerala’s Mavelikara constituency, is the longest-serving parliamentarian in the 18th Lok Sabha.
