Bhartrihari Mahtab Appointed Pro-tem Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha Speaker 2024: Bhartrihari Mahtab has been appointed as Speaker Protem of 18th Lok Sabha by President Droupi Murmu on Thursday. As Speaker Protem, Bhartrihari Mahtab will oversee ministration of oath to newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) of 18th Lok Sabha. Mahtab was appointed as pro-tem Speaker under Article 95(1) of Constitution to perform duties of Lok Sabha presiding officer till election of Speaker. 

newly elected members of 18th Lok Sabha will make oath or affirmation before pro-tem Speaker, who will be assisted by a panel of chairpersons comprising Congress leer K Suresh, DMK leer T R Baalu, BJP members Rha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste and TMC leer Sudip Bandyopyay.

Who is Bhartrihari Mahtab? 

Bhartruhari Mahtab is a seven-term parliamentarian and h quit BJD ahe of Lok Sabha elections to join BJP. Bhartrihari Mahtab served as a member of Parliament for over 25 years. Mahtab is son of Dr Harekrushna Mahtab (former Odisha Chief Minister) who was a member of Indian National Congress, playing a crucial role in Independence struggle in 1947.  Dr Harekrushna Mahtab also served as chief minister of Odisha for two terms.

Bhartruhari Mahtab received Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 2017, and Sans Ratna Award 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 for his outstanding role as an MP.

Congress hits out at govt of ‘destroying parliamentary norms’

Congress on Thursday accused government of "destroying parliamentary norms" by choosing seven-term BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker inste of eight-term Lok Sabha member Kodikunnil Suresh who should have got it as per convention of naming senior-most MP to post.

Mahtab was on Thursday appointed pro-tem Speaker of Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said.

He said Mahtab, a BJP member from Cuttack, was appointed as pro-tem Speaker by President Droupi Murmu under Article 95(1) of Constitution to perform duties of Lok Sabha presiding officer till election of Speaker.

Reacting to development, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "By convention, MP who has served maximum terms is appointed Speaker Protem for first two days when oath is ministered to all newly elected MPs." " senior-most MPs in 18th Lok Sabha are Kodikunnil Suresh (INC) and Virendra Kumar (BJP), both of who are now serving ir eighth term.

" latter is now a Union minister and hence it was expected that Kodikunnil Suresh would be Speaker Protem. Inste, a seven-term MP, Bhartruhari Mahtab has been appointed Speaker Protem. He was a BJD MP for six terms and is now a BJP MP," Ramesh said on 'X'.

When is election of Speaker? 

first session of 18th Lok Sabha will begin on June 24. newly elected members will take oath/affirmation on June 24-25. election of Speaker is scheduled to take place on June 26.