Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is soon to become Leader of the the Opposition, shook the hands when they welcomed Om Birla, who was just re-elected Lok Sabha Speaker. It marks the beginning of the 18th Lok Sabha.
Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab announced the election results after the Opposition, which had nominated Congress MP K Suresh, decided not to push for a vote.
Prime Minister Modi, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Rahul Gandhi, escorted Om Birla to the Speaker’s chair. PM Modi applauded Mr. Birla, conveying his pride in his second term while looking ahead to his leadership over the next five years. “You’re sweet grin keeps the entiire House happy,” PM Modi said.
Rahul Gandhi also cheered Mr. Birla for his representation of the opposition and the INDIA alliance, emphasizing the Speaker role as a final mediator of the people voices. He assured Mr. Birla of the opposition collaboration and conveyed trust that the speaker would make it possible them to voice their views in the House.
The office of Leader of the Opposition in India has existed since 1969, when He Suhag Singh first held it. It has grown into a cornerstone of legislative rule, affecting the appointment of key authorities such as the Chief Elections Commissioner (CEC), the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), and members of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Lokayukta, among other people.