For two decades now, anyone who has served as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha hasn’t managed to re-enter the house. The seat of the Lok Sabha Speaker is considered among the most prestigious posts in Parliament. Current Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, an eight-term parliamentarian, announced her decision to not fight the Lok Sabha polls after the BJP dragged its feet over her candidature from Indore. Just like Mahajan, she was seen as a mild-mannered but tough leader who ran the Lok Sabha efficiently. India’s first Lok Sabha Speaker GS Mavalankar, elected in 1952, had passed away in 1956 and therefore possibility of any re-election didn’t arise.

Source: Hindustan Times May 02, 2019 02:37 UTC