JMM MP Mahua Maji on Wednesday congratulated Om Birla for being elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha and said that as per the parliamentary traditions, the position of the Deputy Speaker must be given to someone from the opposition.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate and MP from Kota, Om Birla was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha after the motion for the same was moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Making his first speech as Leader of Opposition of the 18th Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated newly elected Speaker Om Birla and said that opposition also represents the voice of India's people and this time significantly more voice in comparison to the la
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also extended wishes to Birla and accompanied him to the chair along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and PM Modi.
Just before the election, a meeting of Bihar NDA MPs was held at the residence of Union Minister Lallan Singh's residence. Similarly, a meeting of Rajasthan NDA MPs was held at the residence of Gajendra Singh Shekawat.
Earlier today, Congress MP K Suresh alleged that the government "compelled" the INDIA bloc to contest the election as their reply was not satisfactory over the issue.