Om Birla Re-Elected the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi extend Congratulations

Three-time MP Om Birla, nominated by the BJP-led NDA, has been elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha through a voice vote on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed his candidacy, seconded by Union Minister Rajnath Singh and JD(U) leader Lalan Singh after the NDA and opposition failed to agree on a consensus candidate. Upon being elected, he was escorted to the Speaker’s chair by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju.

"Respected Speaker, it is the good fortune of the House that you are occupying this Chair for the second time. I congratulate you and the entire House,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, congratulation Om Birla for securing the position of the Lok Sabha Speaker for a second term. "I want to congratulate you on behalf of the House. It is a huge responsibility for you to sit on this post for the second time during the Amrit Kaal. With your experience, we hope that you will guide us for the next 5 years…"The works that didn't happen during 70 years of independence were made possible by this House under your chairmanship. Several milestones come in the long journey of democracy. A few occasions are such when we receive the opportunity to establish milestones. I am very confident that the country will be proud of the achievements of the 17th Lok Sabha,” he added.

The INDIA bloc had fielded K Suresh as their candidate against Om Birla. NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule supported Suresh's candidacy. However, Birla secured the position for a second term as Speaker, having previously served as the Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi congratulated Om Birla for securing the seat of the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second time. “I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the entire Opposition and the INDIA alliance. This House represents the voice of India's people and you are the final arbiter of that voice. The government has political power but the opposition also represents the voice of India's people and this time, the opposition represents significantly more voice of the Indian people than it did last time. The opposition would like to assist you in doing your work. We would like the House to function often and well. It is very important that cooperation happens on the basis of trust. It is very important that the voice of the Opposition is allowed to be represented in this House,” said Rahul Gandhi stating that the voice of the Opposition is allowed to be heard in the house. "We are confident that by allowing the Opposition to speak, by allowing us to represent the people of India, you will do your duty of defending the Constitution of India,” he added.