Editorial 1: The post of Deputy Speaker is not symbolic or optional

Context

The fact that the post is still vacant is a violation of the Constitution and shows a clear neglect of consensus politics.

Introduction

The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is not just a ceremonial seat — it is a constitutional requirement. As directed by Article 93 of the Constitution of India, this role is not merely an assistant to the Speaker. It is essentialfor the smooth functioning of the lower House of Parliament. Yet, in recent years, the Deputy Speaker’s position has faced unusual and worrying neglect.

Deputy Speaker’s Office

• Article 93 of the Constitution states:
  "The House of the People shall, as soon as may be, choose two members of the House to be respectively Speaker and Deputy Speaker...."
• The phrase "as soon as may be" indicates urgency, not discretion.
• Electing a Deputy Speaker is mandatory, not an optional act.
• The Deputy Speaker’s office is placed on equal footing with the Speaker in terms of necessity for the parliamentary structure.
• Article 94 provides that the Deputy Speaker remains in office until they:
  • Resign
  • Are removed
  • Cease to be a Member of Parliament
• The intention behind these provisions is to ensure that the Lok Sabha always has a second-in-command to guarantee continuity, stability, and institutional balance.

Historical Background

Role and Importance of the Deputy Speaker

• Speaker's Limitations: The Speaker cannot physically preside over every session for long hours.
• Expert Observation: S.C. Kashyap notes that the Speaker cannot chair proceedings endlessly.
• Deputy Speaker’s Core Role: The Deputy Speaker ensures smooth functioning during the Speaker’s absence.
• Expanded Responsibilities: The Deputy Speaker can chair major sessions, lead important committees, and handle sensitive debates requiring neutrality.
• Impartiality Requirement: Once elected, the Deputy Speaker must act impartially, regardless of political affiliations.
• Symbolic Significance: The office carries symbolic value in promoting bipartisan respect and cooperation.
• Convention of Opposition Nominee: Traditionally, the Deputy Speaker’s post is offered to the Opposition, though it is not legally mandated.
• Strengthening Non-Partisan Ethos: This practice balances power, builds trust across parties, and upholds the neutrality of the House.

Vacancy of the Deputy Speaker’s Office

• Despite its clear constitutional basis and historic continuity, the Deputy Speaker’s office remained vacant throughout the entire term of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024).
• The 18th Lok Sabha, formed after the 2024 general election, has also yet to elect a Deputy Speaker. This is not just a procedural lapse; it is a constitutional anomaly.
• Unprecedented Vacancy: No previous instance in India's parliamentary history has seen such extended vacancies for the Deputy Speaker’s post.
• Interpretation of "As Soon as May Be": The Constitution does not set a rigid timeline for election, but the phrase “as soon as may be” should not be seen as "whenever convenient".
• Delay Raises Questions: The delay — spanning multiple years — raises concerns about adherence to constitutional mandates and respect for parliamentary norms.

Impact of the Vacancy

• Undermining Safeguards: Leaving the Deputy Speaker’s position vacant undermines the institutional safeguards set by the Constitution.
  • It centralises procedural power solely within the Speaker and the ruling party.
  • Eliminates the vital counterbalance of the Deputy Speaker.
• Emergency Consequences: In an emergency (e.g., Speaker’s resignation, death, or removal), the lack of a second-in-command can lead to confusion or a temporary leadership vacuum.
• Disregard for Conventions: The delay also signals a broader disregard for parliamentary conventions, especially the unwritten rule of offering the post to the Opposition.

Importance of the Deputy Speaker’s Role

Sidelining Consensus Politics

• Failing to fill the Deputy Speaker’s post is not a passive oversight; it represents an active sidelining of consensus politics.
• Lack of Urgency Argument: The argument that there is no urgency in appointing a Deputy Speaker contradicts the constitutional ethos.
  • Framers of the Constitution foresaw the need for redundancy in leadership.
• Restoring Institutional Credibility: Appointing a Deputy Speaker from the Opposition would help restore institutional credibility in an era of increasing polarisation.
  • It would honour democratic conventions and inject balance into legislative proceedings.

Need for legislative reform?

• Ongoing Vacuum: The current vacuum raises the question of whether the constitutional language should be tightened to set a mandatory time frame for electing the Deputy Speaker.
• Suggested Deadline: A specific deadline (e.g., within 60 days of the first sitting of the new Lok Sabha) could close the loophole of delay and ensure compliance.
• Alternative Approach: Alternatively, a statutory mechanism could allow the President to initiate the process within a set time frame, based on advice from the Prime Minister or Speaker.
• Current Ambiguity: The present ambiguity in the process is untenable in a functioning democracy.
• Constitutional Importance: The Office of the Deputy Speaker is not symbolic nor optional; it is a constitutionally sanctioned position vital for upholding legislative integrity and continuity.
• Violation of the Constitution: Disregarding this office violates the Constitution’s letter and undermines the spirit of democratic balance.

Conclusion

It is time for Parliament to show its respect for constitutional ules and institutional honesty. Choosing a Deputy Speaker is not just a formality — it is a test of the House’s promise to govern by rules. India’s Parliament must not fail this test any longer.