Bhartruhari Mahtab: New Pro-Tem Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. Mahtab, a seven-time Lok Sabha member from Cuttack, Odisha, recently switched from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This appointment was announced by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on June 20, 2024.

Bhartruhari Mahtab is the son of former Odisha Chief Minister Harekrushna Mahtab. He has represented the Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency since 1998, winning six times on a BJD ticket before joining the BJP for his seventh term. Mahtab cited reduced activity within the BJD as his reason for switching parties in March 2024.

Role and Responsibilities of a Pro-Tem Speaker

The pro-tem speaker plays a crucial role in the formation of a new Lok Sabha. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Administering the oath to newly elected members of the Lok Sabha
• Conducting the election of the new Speaker and Deputy Speaker
• Overseeing proceedings until the new Speaker assumes office

The position of pro-tem speaker is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution. However, Article 95(1) allows the President to appoint a member of the Lok Sabha as Speaker when both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions are vacant.

Appointment Process and Convention

The appointment of a pro-tem speaker follows a specific process:

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs prepares a list of senior members based on their tenure in the Lok Sabha
• The list typically includes four members, with one identified as the pro-tem speaker and three others to assist
• The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs or Prime Minister selects the pro-tem speaker from this list
• The President then formally appoints the chosen member as pro-tem speaker

Traditionally, the senior-most newly elected member of the Lok Sabha is appointed as pro-tem speaker, though this is a convention rather than a rule. The pro-tem speaker's tenure automatically ends when the newly elected Speaker or Deputy Speaker assumes office.

Inaugural Session and Oath-Taking

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is scheduled to begin on June 26, 2024. Before this, several key events will take place:

• The outgoing Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha, Om Birla, will resign before the new Lok Sabha convenes
• President Murmu will administer the oath to Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem speaker at Rashtrapati Bhavan
• Mahtab, along with three assisting members, will then administer the oath to all newly elected Lok Sabha members

This oath-taking process is mandated by Article 99 of the Indian Constitution, which requires every member to take an oath or affirmation before assuming their seat. The oath format is specified in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.

As the 18th Lok Sabha prepares to convene, Bhartruhari Mahtab's appointment as pro-tem speaker marks an important step in the democratic process. His extensive parliamentary experience and recent party switch add an intriguing dimension to this crucial role in India's legislative proceedings.