Importance of the Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a constitutionally mandated position under Article 93 of the Indian Constitution.
The Constitution requires the Lok Sabha to elect both a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker “as soon as may be,” which means the election should happen without unnecessary delay.
The Deputy Speaker is essential for maintaining continuity in the functioning of the Lok Sabha, especially in the absence of the Speaker.
Article 94 clarifies that the Deputy Speaker remains in office until they resign, are removed, or cease to be a Member of Parliament.
Historical Significance and Past Practice
The office of the Deputy Speaker has its roots in colonial India, where it was known as the Deputy President of the Central Legislative Assembly.
Sachidanand Sinha was the first to hold this position in 1921, showing that the role has a long and significant history.
After independence, the position was deliberately retained by the Constituent Assembly, even before the Constitution came into effect in 1950.
The first elected Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, M.A. Ayyangar, played a crucial role during a leadership crisis when he served as acting Speaker after the death of G.V. Mavalankar.
This established the Deputy Speaker as a vital backup leader during emergencies in parliamentary functioning.
Present Vacancy and Constitutional Concerns
The post of Deputy Speaker has been left vacant for the entire term of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024), which is unprecedented in India’s parliamentary history.
The newly formed 18th Lok Sabha (2024) has also not elected a Deputy Speaker, continuing the constitutional gap.
This long delay in filling the position goes against the intent of the Constitution and weakens democratic institutions.
The absence of a Deputy Speaker centralises procedural control with the Speaker and the ruling party, reducing balance and accountability in the House.
The failure to fill this role also disregards a long-standing convention of offering the position to the Opposition, which traditionally helped promote bipartisan cooperation.
Need for Reform and Restoration of Norms
The delay in electing a Deputy Speaker highlights the need for legislative reform to enforce a specific timeline—such as within 60 days of the first Lok Sabha sitting.
A statutory provision could also allow the President to trigger the election process based on the advice of the Prime Minister or the Speaker.
Reinstating the tradition of giving the Deputy Speaker’s post to the Opposition can restore trust, reduce political polarisation, and enhance the credibility of Parliament.
Electing a Deputy Speaker should not be treated as a formality—it is a test of India’s commitment to the Constitution, parliamentary norms, and democratic integrity.
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