Recently, Samajwadi Party leader Awadhesh Prasad emerged victorious in the Lok Sabha elections from the Faizabad constituency, which includes Ayodhya. His win garnered attention due to defeating BJP's Lallu Singh by a substantial margin of over 50,000 votes, despite the BJP's association with the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Notably, Awadhesh Prasad, a Dalit leader, securing a general seat in the Lok Sabha elections adds significant symbolic value to his political profile.
Trinamool Congress has now urged the Centre to nominate Awadhesh Prasad as the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, a position that remained vacant throughout the 17th Lok Sabha. The opposition bloc has contested for the Speaker's post, as the NDA government did not commit to allocating the Deputy Speaker's role to the opposition.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly proposed Awadhesh Prasad's candidacy for the Deputy Speaker's position. This nomination is seen as a strategic move by the opposition, putting forward a candidate with strong political and symbolic credentials.
The Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha holds equivalent legislative powers as the Speaker. In the absence of the Speaker due to circumstances like death, illness, or other reasons, the Deputy Speaker assumes administrative responsibilities. It is a parliamentary convention to elect a Deputy Speaker from a party other than the ruling party, ensuring accountability and fostering a democratic parliamentary process.
