BJP MP Sumitra Mahajan elected Lok Sabha Speaker unanimously

New Delhi: Eight-term member Sumitra Mahajan was on Friday unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha, becoming the second woman presiding officer of the Lower House after her predecessor Meira Kumar.

71-year-old Mahajan, the longest-serving woman MP, was elected after a motion moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by BJP veteran L K Advani was adopted by voice vote called by Protem Speaker Kamal Nath.

13 similar motions proposed and seconded by several parties in the ruling NDA as also in the opposition supporting Mahajan were also approved by the House.

Mahajan was led to the Speaker's Chair by the Prime Minister, Advani, Anant Geete, M Thambidurai as also a number of opposition leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, besides Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

Mahajan, clad in an off-white saree with green border, accepted the post with grace and thanked members for electing her unanimously.

Describing the new assignment as a challenging task, she said she will try to give justice to all parties, including the smallest.

Modi congratulated Mahajan and thanked all parties and members for unanimously electing her as the Speaker and keeping up the great tradition of electing the presiding officer without a contest.

"It is a matter of pride for all of us that a woman is at the helm of the temple of world's largest democracy and we hope that her guidance would help us in the smooth conduct of the House," he said.

Referring to her battle-hardened political career, the Prime Minister said she has risen from the ranks after starting as an ordinary member of the Indore Municipal Corporation and has become an MP for eight terms due to her public service.

Drawing parallels, Modi said the 16th Lok Sabha is similar to that of the country's first Lok Sabha as the present House has around 315 first time members.

With new blood and aspirations, coupled with great traditions of the past, the House could become a temple of energy to help address the hopes of the people, he said, adding the Speaker's name "Sumitra" itself gives a feeling of friendliness.

Quoting a Sanskrit saying, "Mahajano yena gatasya pantha" (you should follow great people), Modi said, "We now have a 'Mahajan' (great person) presiding over the House and what could be more appropriate?"

Describing her assignment as glorious and challenging, Mahajan assured members that she would not let them down and try to do justice by fulfilling their expectations.

Expressing gratitude to members for electing her unanimously, she said the country's 1.25 billion people have expressed their faith in the elected members with the expectation that their hopes and aspirations will be fulfilled.

"If we discharge our responsibility dutifully and with dedication, then only we will be able to fulfil those expectations of the people," she said.

Modi later tweeted saying he has known Mahajan for years and has seen her dedication and monumental service towards people -- be it as an MP or a Union minister.

"I wish Sumitraji the very best in her role as Speaker. I assure our complete support and cooperation in the smooth running of the House," he tweeted, adding, "Her election is a proud moment for our democracy."

As Mahajan ascended the Speaker's seat closely followed by Modi, Protem Speaker Kamal Nath was seen exchanging a few words with the Prime Minister.

Nath was heard saying, "Madhya Pradesh ke saath nyay hua hai (justice has been done with Madhya Pradesh)," as both he and Mahajan are from that state.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu thanked Nath as well as Lok Sabha Secretary General P Sreedharan for conducting the oath taking process of the new members.

The Secretary General created a record by carrying out oath for 510 members in a single day, he said.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge expected that the Speaker would protect the rights of all. "I know that you cannot please all but you should protect all parties. Let them be big or small," he said.

At a time when Congress was expecting the Leader of the Opposition status in spite of lack of requisite numbers, Kharge remarked, "hayat le ke chalo, kaynat le ke chalo, zamane ko saath le ke chalo (let us embrace all, the whole universe as we leave, let us keep the whole world as our company)", meaning thereby that she should take everyone along.

Hailing the election of Mahajan as the Speaker, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai said it was a great moment for women in the country.

In the past, several distinguished women have occupied high constitutional posts in the country and currently four women including AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa are occupying the post of chief minister, he said.

"These are all great tribute to womanhood in the country," the AIADMK leader said.

Thambidurai said it was because of the able leadership of Jayalalithaa, the party could win 37 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu.

TMC leader Sudip Bandopadhyay hoped Mahajan would accept the philosophy of Parliamentary democracy that the House belongs to the Opposition.

He said the ruling alliance got a huge majority but they should not take the House for granted and allow everyone their space.

Bandopadhyay hailed TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for fielding substantial number of women candidates in the Lok Sabha polls. That is why 11 of the 34 party members are women.

He said TMC is the only party in which women account for one-third of its MPs.

B Mahtab (BJD) hailed election of Mahajan, saying she could carry forward the legacy of 18th century social reformer Ahilyabai Holkar as both of them hail from Indore.

The BJD leader said the statue of Ahilyabai Holkar in Parliament House complex should be relocated to a more prominent place under her guidance.

Mahtab said even though the treasury benches will have their way due to their huge majority in the House, the Speaker would allow other parties to have their say.

Anant Geete (Shiv Sena) recalled Mahajan's first election to Lok Sabha in 1989, saying he was immensely impressed to see her rise.

"I believe that you will carry forward the glorious tradition of this august House. We assure you our fullest cooperation," he said.

Ashok Gajapathi Raju (TDP) said Mahajan should motivate every member to maintain decorum.

"He said the first Speaker of the House G V Mavalankar has never been forgotten nor he will be forgotten. We hope you will reach that stature," he said.

P Karunakaran (CPI-M) said opposition and smallest parties need "your protection" and he was happy that she got elected unanimously.

M Rajamohan Reddy (YSR Cong) hoped Mahajan will be able to function efficiently and impartially as the Speaker.

"Voice of dissent must be heard and protected and I believe that you will do that," he said.

Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP) said the Chair has to balance between act, fact and tact and as a Speaker she has to function tactfully.

Paswan said ever a smiling face, Mahajan will be able to do justice to all and give direction to the House.

Tariq Anwar (NCP) said democracy will be strengthened under Mahajan's leadership and all parties will be heard.

Congratulating Mahajan, Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) said it is very difficult to run the House properly and it is more difficult to run the House by satisfying everyone.

He said the House should run in a manner which is cordial and impartial and there would not be any authoritarian behaviour. "I request you to help us and protect us," he said.

Pappu Yadav (RJD) hoped Mahajan would be able to protect interests of the members who raise the pain and agony of the common man.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal (SAD) said women members in the House look forward to get equal opportunity in the House and hoped that Mahajan will encourage them in raising issues.

A P Jithender Reddy (TRS) said the 29th state of India - Telangana - was born just five days ago and sought the Speaker's support to raise issues of the state in Parliament.

Referring to Narendra Modi's slogan during the election campaign that "good days are coming", Badaruddin Ajmal (AIUDF) hoped that "good days will come" to the smaller parties with the election of Mahajan as the Speaker.

Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) said situation in Jammu and Kashmir is not normal and hoped that the Speaker will allow raising issues of the state in the House.

She also hoped that the new government would follow the "very good tradition" formulated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to improve relations with neighbouring nations as also situation in the Valley.

"Vajpayeeji had said that you can change your friend but not your neighbour and worked for improvement of relations with neighbouring countries. We hope that the new government will continue the policy formulated by Vajpayee," she said.

Dushyant Chautala (INLD), one of the youngest members in the House, said his great grandfather Devilal and grandfather Om Prakash Chautala worked with Mahajan in the Lok Sabha in the past and hoped that the new Speaker will give more opportunities to youngsters in the House. Mahajan assured him that young members will get more opportunities.

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda of JD (Secular) said more time should be given to regional parties.

NPF member Neiphiu Rio hoped Mahajan would protect interests of minorities and all sections. He also referred to the situation in Nagaland.

Kaushlendra Kumar (JD-U), N K Premachandran (RSP), Jose K Mani (Kerala Congress), Asaduddin Owaisi (MIM), E Ahmed (IUML), Dharamvir Gandhi (AAP) also congratulated the Speaker.