BJP MP Om Birla was today elected the Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha by voice vote. He successfully defeated Congress leader K Suresh.
For about 24 hours before the election, there was a media-created frenzy around the Speaker election. A section of the media suggested that Lok Sabha would be witnessing some tense moments and heated exchanges during the election.
Soon after Om Birla won it, Leader of Opposition and Congress Rahul Gandhi courteously walked up to him and congratulated him in the physical proximity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He later said that the Opposition hopes that, by allowing them to speak in the House, by allowing them to represent the people of India, the Speaker will be doing his duty of defending the Constitution of India. "I would like to once again congratulate you and also all the members of the House who have won their election," Gandhi added.
The NDA has got the required numbers in LS, which is why the election was easy and smooth.
