Guwahati, March 11: Gaurav Gogoi has raised concerns over what he described as a “constitutional vacuum” arising from the continued absence of a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha.
In a statement referring to provisions of the Constitution of India, the Congress leader pointed out that Article 96 of the Constitution of India bars the Speaker from presiding over proceedings related to their own removal in order to maintain neutrality in parliamentary functioning.
Gogoi noted that the Constitution envisages only two constitutional presiding authorities in the Lok Sabha under Article 93 of the Constitution of India—the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker—both elected directly by members of the House.
According to him, the continued failure to elect a Deputy Speaker has created a constitutional gap. Gogoi argued that allowing a panel chairperson nominated by the Speaker to preside over proceedings concerning the Speaker’s own removal undermines the intention behind Article 96.
He stressed that neutrality in parliamentary proceedings cannot be treated merely as a procedural formality, adding that in a constitutional democracy, justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
Gogoi further contended that if a Speaker cannot act as a judge in their own case, they should likewise not be in a position to nominate someone to preside over proceedings involving their own removal, as doing so would defeat the spirit of constitutional safeguards designed to ensure impartiality in the functioning of Parliament.
