The position of Deputy Speaker is not symbolic or optional.

• The Deputy Speaker’s office is a constitutional imperative, mandated under Article 93 of the Indian Constitution.

• The role is not optional and is essential for the uninterrupted functioning of the lower House of Parliament.

• The Deputy Speaker’s role extends beyond just filling in, including chairing important sessions, presidering specific committees, and handling sensitive debates.

Relevance in Parliamentary Practice

• The Deputy Speaker ensures uninterrupted proceedings during absences of the Speaker, ensuring continuity and stability.

• The office has historically held symbolic importance in fostering bipartisan respect, offering the post to the Opposition.

Current Constitutional Vacuum

• The Deputy Speaker’s office has remained vacant for the entire term of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024) and the 18th Lok Sabha (after the 2024 general election).

• This delay raises questions about adherence to constitutional mandates and respect for parliamentary norms.

• The absence of a designated second-in-command could lead to confusion or a temporary leadership vacuum in the House.

• The delay also signals a disregard for parliamentary conventions, especially the unwritten rule of offering the post to the Opposition.

Need for Legislative Reform

• The ongoing vacuum raises questions about whether the constitutional language should be tightened to set a mandatory time frame for electing the Deputy Speaker.

• Restoring the practice of appointing a Deputy Speaker from the Opposition can help rebuild institutional credibility and inject a degree of balance into legislative proceedings.

The need for legislative reform

• The Office of the Deputy Speaker is a constitutionally sanctioned position designed to uphold the integrity and continuity of legislative functioning.

• The current ambiguity is untenable in a functioning democracy.