The post of Deputy Speaker in Lok Sabha has been vacant for 7 years, Congress MP raised questions

New Delhi. Congress MP Manickam Tagore has expressed serious concern over the post of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker remaining vacant for seven years in the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that this is not just a procedural lapse, but an act being done against the basic spirit of parliamentary democracy.
MP Tagore, citing Article 93 of the Constitution, said that it is mandatory for the House to elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. He stressed that the word “shell” used in it indicates an obligation, not an option. Along with this, the Congress MP said that as per parliamentary tradition, the post of Deputy Speaker is usually given to the opposition, so that balance, fairness and respect for democratic values ​​can be ensured in the proceedings of the House.
He also raised questions regarding the no-confidence motion brought against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Tagore alleged that the government had deliberately kept the post of Deputy Speaker vacant. He said, when a no-confidence motion has been brought against the Speaker, then the absence of the Deputy Speaker makes this void more clear. Is this an attempt to avoid accountability?
MP Tagore said that keeping the opposition away from its constitutional and traditional role weakens democratic institutions. He stressed that democracy is not about any one person or party, but about respect for the Constitution.