‘Expect voice of Opposition will not be crushed’: Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav on Om Birla’s election as Lok Sabha Speaker

"The House represents the voice of the people and you (Speaker) are the final arbiter of that voice. Of course, the government has the power, but the Opposition also represents the voice of India," Rahul Gandhi said.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: June 26, 2024 12:34 PM IST

2 min read

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav address the Lok Sabha on June 26 (Screenshot)

Rahul Gandhi Wednesday congratulated Om Birla on being elected the Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha, urging that he allow the Opposition to speak and do his “duty of defending the Constitution of India.” His INDIA bloc ally and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed his thought, saying that the Opposition expects that its “voice will not be crushed”.

“Opposition would like to persist you in doing you work. We would like the House to function often and well. It is very important that cooperation happens on the basis of trust,” Rahul said.

He added, “The House represents the voice of the people and you are the final arbiter of that voice. Of course, the government has the power, but the Opposition also represents the voice of India… It is very important that the voice of the Opposition is allowed to be represented in this House. The question is not how efficiently the House runs, the question is how much of India’s voice is being allowed to be heard in this House.”

Also read | ‘Confident 18th Lok Sabha will fulfil people’s expectations under your leadership’: PM Modi hails Om Birla

Following Rahul’s statement, Yadav also addressed the House and said, “We expect voice of Opposition will not be crushed and there will be no more expulsions.”

“We will stand by all your just decisions and expect that it won’t just be the Opposition under check,” Yadav added.

“We believe you will move forward without discrimination and as the Speaker, you will give equal opportunity and respect to every party. Impartiality is a great responsibility of this great post. You sitting here are the chief justice of the court of democracy,” Yadav said.

BJP nominee Om Birla was elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker once again on Wednesday. The NDA candidate was poised to retain the Speaker’s post as the numbers were in favour of the ruling coalition.

From the homepage