•Context:
The position of Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha has been lying vacant for over six years.
•Background
June 2019 =The 16th Lok Sabha’s Deputy Speaker’s term concluded.
•17th Lok Sabha (2019-2024) =The entire 17th Lok Sabha functioned without a Deputy Speaker, breaking with constitutional
convention and parliamentary tradition.
•June 2024 =18th Lok Sabha formed but Opposition demands Deputy Speaker position in exchange for supporting NDA’s
Speaker candidate. •Government refuses the traditional arrangement.
Present (2025) = Position remains vacant for over 6 years, creating unprecedented constitutional and democratic
challenges.
•Deputy Speaker
He is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from amongst themselves. When the Speaker is absent, the Deputy Speaker
presides over the sessions and has the same powers and responsibilities as the Speaker.
Their main functions include maintaining order and decorum in the House, interpreting the Rules of Procedure and putting
questions to vote. He is also part of various parliamentary committees.
Traditionally, the position has been offered to a member from the opposition party to ensure a sense of impartiality and
balanced representation in the House leadership.
He can be removed from office by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha. This resolution must be supported by a majority of
all the then members of the House.
- A notice of at least 14 days must be given before this resolution is moved. During the process of removal, the Deputy Speaker cannot preside over the sessions.
•Constitutional Framework
Article 93 = The Speaker and Deputy Speaker
“The House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the House to be respectively Speaker and Deputy
Speaker thereof.”
Article 94 = Tenure and Resignation
Reinforces the continuity of the Deputy Speaker’s office until resignation, removal, or disqualification.
Article 95(1) = Powers and Duties The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the Speaker when the Speaker’s chair is vacant.
Root Causes and Political Dynamics
•Primary Issue: Convention v/s Power Politics
The ruling government has allegedly refused to follow the traditional convention of offering the Deputy Speaker position to an Opposition member, leading to this prolonged impasse.
Government’s Position
Rationale: No constitutional mandate to give position to opposition
Impact: Maintains complete control over parliamentary proceedings
Criticism: Violates democratic spirit and parliamentary conventions
Opposition’s Stance
Demand: Deputy Speaker position as per convention
Leverage: Support for Speaker election in exchange
Result: Deadlock leading to continued vacancy
•Way Forward
Amend Article 93 to require the Deputy Speaker’s election within 60 days of the Lok Sabha’s first sitting.
Allow the President to intervene if the post remains vacant, ensuring constitutional compliance.
The government should honor the convention of giving the Deputy Speaker role to the opposition to restore balance.
Both sides must negotiate to end the deadlock, prioritizing democratic stability over political wins.