Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha

The post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha has remained vacant since the commencement of the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019, raising concerns about constitutional non-compliance, disruption of parliamentary conventions, and the erosion of democratic principles. With no indication of appointment in the 18th Lok Sabha either, this issue has gained renewed importance.

Constitutional Mandate vs Political Reality: Understanding the Deputy Speaker Vacancy

• Constitutional Provisions Governing the Deputy Speaker:
  • Article 93: Provides for the election of a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker "as soon as may be".
  • Article 94: Specifies conditions under which these offices become vacant.
  • Article 180(1): Allows the Deputy Speaker to act as Speaker when the Speaker’s post is vacant.
• Interpretation of “As soon as may be”
  • Though no specific timeline is prescribed, the phrase signifies urgency and necessity, not discretion.
  • Misuse of this ambiguity leads to prolonged vacancy, distorting constitutional intent.

Role and Significance of the Deputy Speaker

• More than a Substitute:
  • Presides in the absence of the Speaker and exercises equal powers.
  • Chairs vital parliamentary committees such as:
• House Budget Committee
  • Private Member’s Bills Committee
    • Neutral Arbiter in Sensitive Deliberations
    • Expected to function above partisan interests, ensuring fair conduct of parliamentary proceedings.

Parliamentary Conventions and Democratic Ethics

• Convention of Allocating the Post to Opposition: Traditionally, while the Speaker is from the ruling party, the Deputy Speaker is offered to the Opposition to ensure power-sharing and harmony.
• Violation of Established Norms: Denial to offer the post to the Opposition undermines bipartisanism and damages consensus-building.

Procedural Norms Under Lok Sabha Rules

• Rule 8 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business (1952)
  • The Speaker is required to fix the date of election for the Deputy Speaker.
  • Election occurs when a motion proposing a name is adopted by the House.
• Inconsistency with Internal Procedure
  • Non-adherence to Rule 8 further violates internal governance norms of the Lok Sabha.

Implications of a Prolonged Vacancy

• Constitutional Vacuum: Risk of institutional crisis if Speaker resigns or is incapacitated without a Deputy in place.
• Centralization of Power: Concentrates parliamentary control with the ruling party, breaching the balance of power mandated by a Westminster-style democracy.
• Erosion of Accountability: Weakens legislative scrutiny, especially over the executive, and diminishes Opposition voice.

Way Forward

• Codify Timeline for Appointment: Introduce legislation or amend House rules to stipulate a specific timeframe for election of the Deputy Speaker.
• Uphold Democratic Conventions: Institutionalize the practice of allocating the Deputy Speaker’s post to the Opposition to strengthen cooperative federalism and democratic dialogue.
• Judicial Review: Supreme Court may be approached to issue directions interpreting "as soon as may be" in Article 93 to ensure time-bound compliance.