TMC Backs Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad For Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Post: Reports

TMC proposes Awadhesh Prasad for Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, citing his victory against BJP's Hindutva agenda and as a Dalit leader, reports say.

File Photo: Samajwadi Party MPs Akhilesh Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad and others at the Parliament House complex on the first day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, in New Delhi, Monday, June 24, 2024.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) has urged the Union government to nominate Awadhesh Prasad, the recently elected Member of Parliament from Faizabad, as the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, media reports say. The move comes amid ongoing discussions within the opposition ranks to fill the vacant post, which remained unoccupied throughout the 17th Lok Sabha.

According to The Hindu, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee proposed Awadhesh Prasad for the role, emphasising his significant victory in the recent elections from Faizabad, which includes the revered city of Ayodhya.

Prasad, a Dalit leader, secured his seat by defeating BJP's Lallu Singh, attracting attention as a symbolic win against the BJP's political narrative, despite the inauguration of the Ram Temple.

India Today also reported sources as stating that Awadhesh Prasad was proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the post of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker.

The Hindu quoted a senior opposition leader, "Mr. Prasad’s victory symbolises the defeat of BJP’s Hindutva agenda. As a Dalit leader, his victory from a general seat was also an extremely significant moment in Indian political history."

Congress, TMC, SP Reportedly Held Informal Talks To Pick Consensus Candidate For Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Post: Report

According to constitutional norms outlined in Article 93, the Lok Sabha is mandated to elect a Deputy Speaker at the earliest opportunity. However, no specific timeline has been set by the government for the appointment in the current 18th Lok Sabha session.

The role of the Deputy Speaker is pivotal, carrying equal legislative authority as the Speaker and assuming administrative responsibilities in the Speaker's absence due to any reason. It is a convention for the Deputy Speaker to represent an opposition party, ensuring a balanced and accountable parliamentary system.

The top leadership of Congress, TMC, and the SP reportedly had informal talks to pick a consensus candidate to send a strong message, The Hindu reported citing sources.

If the government fails to initiate the appointment process before the conclusion of the ongoing parliamentary session on July 3, sources told The Hindu that the opposition will formally address the matter with the Lok Sabha speaker.