Prime Minister or Someone Else: Who Holds the Most Power Inside Lok Sabha?
India operates two houses of Parliament: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Today, we will explain which position holds the most power in the Lok Sabha and what the responsibilities of this position entail. Let's delve into the details.
Most Powerful Person in the Lok Sabha
Many of you might think that since the Prime Minister is the most powerful person in the country, he would naturally be the most powerful person in Parliament as well. However, this is not the case.
The most powerful position in the Lok Sabha is considered to be that of the Speaker. This is why, in a coalition government, every party wants the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to be from their party.
Although it is not written anywhere that the Speaker is the most powerful position, the decision-making powers vested in the Speaker make this position the most powerful.
Powers of the Lok Sabha Speaker
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, or the Chairperson of the Lok Sabha, is responsible for overseeing the proceedings of the Lok Sabha sessions and ensuring discipline and decorum among the members.
Their primary duties include setting the agenda for parliamentary meetings, granting permission for motions such as adjournments, no-confidence motions, and censure motions.
Additionally, the Speaker holds the authority to suspend a member for a specified period or to order their removal from the session if they breach the dignity of the House.
Under Schedule 10th of the Constitution, the Speaker also has the power to disqualify members on grounds of defection based on anti-defection laws. These powers make the Speaker a crucial figure in maintaining order and upholding parliamentary norms within the Lok Sabha.
Besides this, the Lok Sabha Speaker also has the authority to constitute committees in the House. These committees function under the leadership of the Speaker.
Additionally, the Lok Sabha Speaker has the power to grant permission for a secret session upon the request of the House leader.
During such a secret session, no person can be present in the House without the Speaker's permission.
