Notably, Lok Sabha did not have a Leader of the Opposition in the last 10 years because no political party, other than the ruling party, was able to secure the minimum Lok Sabha seats required to nominate a Leader of the Opposition.
After Om Birla was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh clarified that the opposition has not asked for division of votes as a constructive step from our end.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh coagulated Om Birla for getting elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on Wednesday and lauded Birla for his knowledge of "constitutional matters" and "parliamentary procedures".
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.