New Delhi: Eight-time BJP MP from Indore Sumitra Mahajan, who has risen within the ranks, was on Friday elected unanimously to the post of the Speaker in the newly constituted 16th Lok Sabha. With her election to the post Ms Mahajan became the second woman to occupy the prestigious position after her predecessor Meira Kumar.
Ms Mahajan, who has the distinction of being the longest serving woman MP, was elected after adoption of a motion moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by BJP patriarch L.K. Advani by voice vote called by Protem Speaker Kamal Nath.
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The House also approved thirteen similar motions proposed and seconded by several parties in the ruling NDA as also in the opposition supporting her.
The PM, Mr Advani, Anant Geete, M Thambidurai as also a number of Opposition leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, besides parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu led Ms Mahajan to the Speaker’s chair.
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Ms Mahajan, while accepting the post, in her maiden speech from the chair, said the new assignment was a challenging one and that she would try to do justice with all without letting down any member.
Mr Modi congratulated Ms Mahajan and thanked all parties and members for unanimously electing her and keeping up the great tradition of electing the presiding officer without a contest.
Mr Modi said, “It is a matter of pride for all of us that a woman is at the helm of the temple of world’s largest democracy and we hope that her guidance would help us in the smooth conduct of the House.”
