In the hot seat: AP speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao is in troubled waters

The Speaker is also the guardian and custodian of the rights and privileges of the members in their individual capacity. He safeguards the proceedings in the House, maintains its dignity and gives proper direction.

The esteem with which the office of the Speaker is looked upon is reflected in a speech of the former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on March 8, 1948.

“ There is always a danger from a majority that it may choose to ride roughshod over the opinions of minority and it is there that the Speaker comes in to protect each single member or each single group from any such activity by a dominant group and a dominant government. The Speaker becomes the symbol of a nation’s freedom and liberty. Therefore, it is right, that should be an honoured position, a free position and should be occupied always by men of outstanding ability and impartiality."

G.V. Mavalankar, the first Speaker of Lok Sabha, said, “Though a Congressman, it would be my duty and effort to deal with all members with justice and equality as it would be my duty to be impartial and remain above all considerations of party or of political career.”

Though a coveted post, no leader aspires to become the Speaker. Generally leaders, who have been denied a berth in the ministry, would settle for the Speaker’s Chair. Andhra Pradesh Speaker Kodela Sivaprasad Rao is no exception. He never aspired to be a Speaker.

The first Session was not taken into consideration to judge his role, as it was only a ceremonial one.

However, the mandal president election of Muppalla in Sattenapalli constituency (from where the Speaker got elected to Assembly), addressing the party workers meeting at Vijayawada and the controversial incidents during the ongoing Budget Session would only serve the harbinger of things to come by in the future.

However, it is too early to judge, going by the things that happened during last one week.

Whatever may be the reasons, the institution of Speaker has been yielding to the domination of ruling governments for the past three decades. Under these circumstances it will be a tightrope walk for Kodela Sivaprasad Rao to prove that ‘Speaker is a symbol of impartiality’.

As the former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and currently in-charge of legislative affairs of the House, I have moderated discussions impartially and upheld the sovereignty of the House.

Today, Speakers engage in building a positive environment between leaders of political parties. The first challenge faced by Speakers is the allegation of bias, which can cause significant damage to the reputation of the Chair.

In India, a member is appointed to the office of the Speaker if a motion nominating him is carried in the House. Elections are not always by consensus and there have been occasions when parties have fielded their own candidates.

However, in the recent past, a tradition has developed that the Speaker is chosen from the majority party. The convention of Speakers foregoing their party membership has not developed in India. This is because the Speaker’s re-election to the House is not secure. As the electoral system and conventions have not been developed to ensure protection to the office, there are cogent reasons for Speakers to retain party membership.

In other Parliamentary democracies, steps are taken to ensure that the Speaker’s office remains apolitical. In UK, major political parties, including the Speaker’s, do not field candidates in the Speaker’s constituency during general elections. During the election, the Speakers do not campaign on political issues, and instead stand as ‘Speaker seeking re-election.’ There is a presumption that the Speaker, if re-elected to the House, would continue as the Speaker, unless he shows unwillingness.

Speakers like Somnath Chatterjee and the first deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Madabhushi Ananthasayanam Ayyangar are remembered for their impartiality. To achieve this every member has to understand that the Speaker is bestowed on the parliamentary function of representing the electorate and hold the government accountable.