Punjab Newsline, New Delhi, June 26-
Om Birla, three-time BJP MP, was elected the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second time on Tuesday after he defeated INDIA bloc's candidate K Suresh via voice vote in a rare contest.
Om Birla was all smiles as he occupied the Speaker's chair. The moment also saw PM Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju come together as they escorted Om Birla to the chair.
PM Modi congratulated Om Birla on being elected as the Speaker for the second time. His statement also had praise for Birla's sweet smile.
Rahul Gandhi, 'congratulated" Om Birla on "behalf of the entire INDIA alliance" and for being the "final arbiter of that voice'. 'I would like to congratulate you for your successful election that you have been elected for the second time. I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the entire Opposition and the INDIA alliance. This House represents the voice of India's people, and you are the final arbiter of that voice. The government has political power, but the Opposition also represents the voice of India's people and this time, the opposition represents significantly more voice of the Indian people than it did last time," the Leader of Opposition said.
Rahul Gandhi further stated that the Opposition-led INDIA bloc would like to assist Om Birla in doing his work and for the House to 'function often and well'.'It is very important that cooperation happens on the basis of trust. It is very important that the voice of the Opposition is allowed to be represented in this House,' the Congress MP said.