Smooth sailing for Balayogi

The consensus was so wide that 16 motions in favour of his election were moved by parties across the political spectrum. Balayogi8217;s election now paves the way for the smooth return of P M Sayeed of the Congress as the Deputy Speaker, following an accord between the ruling National Democratic Alliance NDA and theOpposition. His election will be held on October 27.

In his felicitations, Vajpayee did not forget recalling that this spirit of cordiality was lacking when Balayogi became the Speaker of the 12th Lok Sabha.

The Prime Minister paid glowing tributes to Indian democracy which defied all fears that voter fatigue had set in and that people would not come out to vote during the elections. He juxtaposed this with what had happened in the neighbourhood read Pakistan where democracy had been dealt a severe blow.

8220;We should draw inspiration from what has happened in the neighbouring country and further strengthen our own democracy and through it concentrate on social and economic development,8221; he remarked.

Continuing with the theme of consensus, Vajpayee said that parliamentary democracy could thrive only in an atmosphere of mutual cooperation.

But Sonia continued to be the cynosure yet again during the inaugural session of the Lok Sabha when she rose to make her maiden speech. Reading from a script, shecommitted the Congress8217; cooperation to the Speaker for the conduct of the proceedings of the House.

Her emphasis was on the need for members to set standards of dignified behaviour so that the highest traditions of the House were maintained.

Sonia complimented Balayogi for finding his way through a 8220;maze of rules and regulations and conventions8221; when he was suddenly pitchforked into the high office during the last Lok Sabha.

CPI veteran Indrajit Gupta made a short speech and had everybody roaring with laughter when he jocularly remarked that nobody had paid him a compliment for conducting the proceedings the way he did as pro-tem Speaker.

Some members like Somnath Chatterjee CPI-M, Mulayam Singh Yadav Samajwadi Party and Mayawati BSP utilised the occasion to make political points while felicitating the Speaker. Mayawati8217;s remark about Manuvadi8217; politics and a quota for women hailing from the Backward Classes and Scheduled Castes within the proposed 33 per cent share for women in electedbodies drew the obvious shouts from the treasury benches.

Replying to felicitations, Balayogi expressed fervent hope that the present Lok Sabha would last its full term. He also observed that the mandate of the General Elections was for the forces of federalism which was reflected in the composition of the Ministry as well.

He felt that in these times the only ideology people believe in was the ideology of development. Equity and social justice were subjects high on the people8217;s agenda, he said.