The Hindu : Front Page : Meira Kumar elected Speaker

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Thursday, Jun 04, 2009
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Meira Kumar elected Speaker

Anita Joshua

Says Constitution remains sheet-anchor for all

— Photo: PTI

NEW INNINGS: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj at her chamber in the Parliament House on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: Wednesday marked a new page in the Indian Parliament’s history with the unanimous election of Meira Kumar as the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Though her election was unchallenged and evoked promises of cooperation from across the floor, members made it clear that there would be no deferential treatment on account of her gender and Ms. Kumar found herself having to expunge remarks even before her maiden address to the House as Speaker.

Constructive politics

“Humbled” by her elevation, Ms. Kumar reminded the members that the verdict of the 2009 elections favoured constructive politics. While conceding the space for dissent in a democracy, she said disruptions only allowed the government to get away without scrutiny.

The members may represent their constituencies with varying interests, but the bottom line is that the Constitution remained the sheet anchor for all, she said.

While admitting that there would be times when the interests of one set of members clashed with another, she stressed that all should remember that they entered the House swearing by the Constitution.

Ms. Kumar assured the members of her full protection and urged them to get down to the task of nation-building together. People expected better from their representatives, she said.

In particular, she mentioned the aspirations of the youth and pointed out that the younger generation was justifiably impatient.

Of the view that her election to the post was testimony to the fact that India does more than just pay lip service to women’s empowerment, she hoped this would pave the way for unanimity on all issues relating to women. The Speaker did not refer to the Women’s Reservation Bill, though the issue was raised by many members in their felicitations.

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