Om Birla becomes Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha

Birla became the Speaker for the second consecutive term.

After winning the election by voice votes, he was accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to the Chair. 

Rare election for Lok Sabha Speaker's post

Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, witnessed a rare election for the Speaker's post after the government and opposition failed to reach a consensus after the incumbent refused to give up the Deputy Speaker's post, which was demanded by the rival parties.

INDIA bloc, the Opposition camp, demanded the Deputy Speaker's post in exchange for its support to NDA candidate Om Birla, who is elected from Rajasthan's Kota. 

After the government and opposition reached no consensus, the INDIA alliance fielded Congress MP K Suresh as its candidate despite knowing the ruling coalition has the numbers under its belt. 

PM Modi, LoP Rahul Gandhi's address 

Congratulating Birla, Prime Minister Modi said, "It is a huge responsibility for you to assume the Chair for the second term. Your 5-year experience as well as ours instill belief in us that you will be our guiding force.

"We believe you will have a big responsibility to play in the fulfillment of the aspirations and duties of the House."

Welcoming the Speaker, Rahul Gandhi said, "This house represents the voice of India’s people and you are the final arbitrator of the voice.

"Of course, the government has political power but the Opposition also represents the voice of India’s youth and this time, more significantly than the last."