In a significant political move today, the Congress party has demanded that the deputy speaker post in the Indian Parliament be allocated to the opposition.
However, a closer look at the legislative assemblies in states governed by opposition parties reveals a contrasting practice.
Here are the details from some of the opposition-ruled states:
1. West Bengal (TMC)
– Speaker: Biman Banerjee (TMC)
– Deputy Speaker: Asish Banerjee (TMC)
2. Tamil Nadu (DMK)
– Speaker: M Appavu (DMK)
– Deputy Speaker: K Pitchandi (DMK)
3. Karnataka (INC)
– Speaker: U. T. Khader Fareed (INC)
– Deputy Speaker: R. M. Lamani (INC)
4. Kerala (LDF)
– Speaker: A. N. Shamseer (CPI(M))
– Deputy Speaker: Chittayam Gopakumar (CPI)
5. Telangana (INC)
– Speaker: Gaddam Prasad Kumar (INC)
– Deputy Speaker: Vacant
6. Jharkhand (JMM+INC)
– Speaker: Rabindra Nath Mahto (JMM)
– Deputy Speaker: Vacant
7. Punjab (AAP)
– Speaker: Kultar Singh Sandhwan (AAP)
– Deputy Speaker: Jai Krishan Singh (AAP)
8. Delhi (AAP)
– Speaker: Ram Niwas Goel (AAP)
– Deputy Speaker: Rakhi Birla (AAP)
9. Himachal Pradesh (INC)
– Speaker: Kuldeep Singh Pathania (INC)
– Deputy Speaker: Vinay Kumar (INC)
In these states, both the positions of speaker and deputy speaker are held predominantly by members of the ruling party. This contrasts with the Congress’s demand for an opposition deputy speaker in Parliament, highlighting a discrepancy in practices between state and national levels.