Constitutional and Parliamentary Importance of Deputy Speaker
- The Deputy Speaker’s role is not just a substitute for the Speaker but essential for continuity of legislative work.
- Article 93 of the Constitution mandates election of the Deputy Speaker “as soon as” the Lok Sabha meets, showing urgency and necessity.
- Article 94 states the Deputy Speaker holds office until resignation, removal, or disqualification.
- Article 180 empowers the Deputy Speaker to perform the Speaker’s duties if the Speaker’s office is vacant.
- The position ensures checks and balances by facilitating effective debates and smooth functioning of the parliamentary system.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity and Constitution)
Conventional Practice and Political Harmony
- Traditionally, the Speaker is from the ruling party, and the Deputy Speaker is offered to the Opposition to foster bipartisanship.
- This convention promotes harmony between ruling party and Opposition, strengthening democratic governance.
- The Deputy Speaker often presides over sensitive sessions, committees, and debates, serving as a neutral arbiter.
Current Scenario: Prolonged Vacancy
- The Deputy Speaker post has been vacant for six years, covering the entire 17th Lok Sabha and continuing into the 18th.
- This vacancy violates constitutional provisions (Articles 93, 94, 180) and the Lok Sabha’s Rules of Procedure (Rule 8).
- The government has allegedly refused to appoint an Opposition member to this post, breaking the convention.
- The vacancy centralizes authority in the Speaker and ruling party, undermining democratic pluralism.
Constitutional and Democratic Implications
- The phrase “as soon as may be” in Article 93 is not clearly defined, leading to misinterpretation and delay.
- Prolonged vacancy creates a constitutional vacuum and crisis risk, especially if the Speaker resigns or is incapacitated.
- It undermines democratic resilience by weakening parliamentary checks, diluting Opposition participation, and concentrating power.
- The failure to appoint a Deputy Speaker represents a departure from consensus-driven politics and parliamentary traditions.
Summary
- The Deputy Speaker is a constitutional necessity, vital for maintaining the parliamentary balance.
- The long-standing vacancy is a threat to democratic values and constitutional governance.
- Upholding the tradition of offering the post to the Opposition is crucial for political harmony and effective functioning of the Lok Sabha.
