The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a very important person in India’s Parliament. Think of them as the second-in-command in the Lok Sabha, right after the Speaker. While the Speaker is in charge most of the time, the Deputy Speaker steps in whenever the Speaker isn’t around to make sure everything runs smoothly. This role is key to keeping the discussions in Parliament organized and fair. In this article, we’ll explain what the Deputy Speaker does, how they’re chosen and why their job is so important—making it super easy to understand!
What is the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha?
The Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s Parliament, and the Deputy Speaker is an elected member who assists the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker is responsible for managing the proceedings of the house, but in their absence, the Deputy Speaker steps in to ensure the smooth continuation of parliamentary activities.
| Deputy Speaker | Tenure | DY Speaker’s Party | Status in LS |
|---|---|---|---|
| M Ananthasayanan Ayyangar | 1952-1956 | Congress | Ruling |
| Hukam Singh | 1956-1957 | Congress | Ruling |
| Hukam Singh | 1957-1962 | Congress | Ruling |
| S V Krishnamoorthy Rao | 1962-1967 | Congress | Ruling |
| R K Khadilkar | 1967-1969 | Congress | Ruling |
| G G Swell | 1969-1970 | APHLC* | Opposition |
| G G Swell | 1971-1977 | APHLC* | Opposition |
| Godey Murahari | 1977-1979 | Congress | Opposition |
| G Lakshmanan | 1980-1984 | DMK | Ruling |
| M Thambi Durai | 1985-1989 | AIADMK | Ruling |
| Shivraj V Patil | 1990-1991 | Congress | Opposition |
| S Malikarjunaiah | 1991-1996 | BJP | Opposition |
| Suraj Bhan | 1996-1997 | BJP | Opposition |
| P M Sayeed | 1998-1999 | Congress | Opposition |
| P M Sayeed | 1999-2004 | Congress | Opposition |
| Chiranjeet Singh Atwal | 2004-2009 | SAD | Opposition |
| Kariya Munda | 2009-2014 | BJP | Opposition |
| M Thambi Durai | 2014-2019 | AIADMK | Ruling |
*APHLC: All Party Hill Leaders Conference
Source: Lok Sabha and Election Commission of India
Constitutional Provisions for the Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha holds an important position defined by the Constitution of India. Let’s take a closer look at the key articles that lay out their role:
- Article 93: This article says that the Lok Sabha must choose a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker as soon as possible after the new House is formed. The election of these leaders helps ensure smooth functioning and order in the House.
- Article 94: Under Article 94, the Speaker or Deputy Speaker must vacate their office if they stop being a member of the House. They can also resign or be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of the House. This ensures that the leadership of the House remains intact and functional.
- Article 95: If the Speaker’s position becomes vacant due to resignation, death, or any other reason, the Deputy Speaker temporarily takes over their responsibilities. This includes presiding over the House, making rulings on proceedings and ensuring that the House runs smoothly until a new Speaker is elected.
- Article 178: Similar provisions apply to the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the state legislative assemblies. This ensures that the functions of the assembly continue without disruption in the absence of either official.
These constitutional provisions establish the Deputy Speaker’s role and authority, ensuring they can step in for the Speaker when needed and contribute to the smooth functioning of the Lok Sabha.
Election of the Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves.
Key Points about the Election Process:
- Mandatory Election: The election of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is a constitutional requirement, as per Article 93.
- Timing: The Deputy Speaker is usually elected after the Speaker has been chosen, typically during the second session of the Lok Sabha.
- Opposition’s Role: By convention, the post of Deputy Speaker is usually given to a member from the opposition party. This ensures a balance of power between the ruling government and opposition.
- Procedure: Once a motion proposing the Deputy Speaker’s name is carried, the election is held. If a vacancy occurs, it is the Secretary-General who informs the House about it.
Powers and Functions of the Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker holds significant powers within the Lok Sabha, especially when the Speaker is absent. Here are some of the key duties and responsibilities:
- Presiding Over Sessions: In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker takes charge and presides over the proceedings of the Lok Sabha.
- Ensuring Order: The Deputy Speaker plays a crucial role in maintaining discipline, order, and decorum in the House during debates.
- Presiding Over Removal of Speaker: When a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under discussion, the Deputy Speaker presides over the proceedings.
- Chairing Committees: The Deputy Speaker is automatically the Chairman of any Parliamentary committee he is appointed to.
- Equal Powers as Speaker: While presiding over the House, the Deputy Speaker holds the same powers as the Speaker. For example, they can give rulings on points of order.
Importance of the Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker is crucial for the functioning of the Lok Sabha. Here are some of the ways in which this role impacts Parliament:
- Ensures Continuity: In the event of the Speaker’s death, resignation, or absence, the Deputy Speaker ensures the continuity of parliamentary proceedings.
- Supports the Speaker: The Deputy Speaker assists the Speaker by managing some of the duties, particularly when there is a heavy workload or when the Speaker needs to step away from the proceedings.
- Independence from the Speaker: Though both are elected members of the House, the Deputy Speaker is independent of the Speaker. They are not subordinate to the Speaker and function autonomously when presiding over the House.
- Representing the House: The Deputy Speaker represents the House in all parliamentary matters and is an important figure in upholding the dignity and integrity of the Lok Sabha.
Facts About the Deputy Speaker
Here are some interesting facts and perspectives about the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha:
- From 1990 to 2014, the Opposition consistently held this position. This practice was seen as a way to ensure balance and fairness in the functioning of the House.
- The longest time taken to elect a Deputy Speaker was during the 12th Lok Sabha, when it took 270 days to elect P.M. Sayeed as Deputy Speaker when G.M.C. Balayogi was the Speaker.
- The 17th Lok Sabha (2019-2024) did not have a Deputy Speaker due to delays in electing a member for this post.
Government’s Viewpoint:
- The largest opposition party, as per reports, needs at least 56 seats to have a member elected as Deputy Speaker. In the 2019 general elections, the Congress secured only 44 seats.
- Experts argued that while the election of Deputy Speaker is expected, it is not strictly mandatory as per Article 93 of the Constitution.
Opposition’s Viewpoint:
- In the 16th Lok Sabha, Thambidurai’s appointment was seen as technical since AIADMK was an NDA ally.
- In the 17th Lok Sabha, the Congress had 54 members, which was two seats short of the required 56 seats for a member to hold the position of Deputy Speaker.
- The BJP government did not appoint an opposition member as Deputy Speaker in both the 16th and 17th Lok Sabhas, which deviated from the parliamentary convention of appointing opposition members to this post.
Challenges Faced by the Deputy Speaker
While the Deputy Speaker holds an influential role, the position can also come with certain challenges:
- Pressure in the Absence of the Speaker: The Deputy Speaker may have to deal with more complex situations, especially during contentious debates or when the Speaker is absent for extended periods.
- Balancing Power: Given the influence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker must work to maintain a balance between the ruling government and the opposition, ensuring fair representation of both sides.
Conclusion
The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha plays an important role in keeping India’s legislative processes running smoothly. As a key parliamentary officer, the Deputy Speaker helps manage sessions, maintain order and steps in for the Speaker when needed. This position ensures that the Lok Sabha continues to function well, even during challenging times.
Understanding the Deputy Speaker’s role is important for anyone interested in how India’s political system works. It helps ensure that the Lok Sabha operates fairly, balancing the interests of both the government and the opposition.
