Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab Sworn In As Pro Term Speaker of Lok Sabha Amid ‘Seniority’ Row

New Delhi: BJP MP from Odisha’s Cuttack, Bhartruhari Mahtab was sworn in as the pro tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha on Monday, ahead of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha. The opposition has objected to his appointment as the pro tern Speaker.

Mahtab was sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He will preside over the Lok Sabha session, that begins today, and will oversee the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected MPs.

The appointment of Mahtab was criticized by the Opposition, especially the Congress, claiming that its member Kodikunnil Suresh, who has served eight terms in the Lok Sabha was senior than Mahtab. The party said that Suresh was expected to be appointed pro tem Speaker based on seniority, a convention historically followed in the Lok Sabha.