Mumbai, November 26: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a floor test in Maharashtra Assembly, putting the onus on chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP to prove their majority on the floor of the Vidhan Sabha. The Supreme Court, among other things, emphasised on the role of pro-tem speaker, who will conduct the floor test on Wednesday. Amidst the continuing political intrigue, observers are keen to know who will be the pro-tem speaker on Wednesday. So what is a pro-tem speaker, what is his role and how is he appointed? Maharashtra Floor Test Tomorrow, Supreme Court Orders Carrying Out Vote Before 5 PM on November 27.

Meaning of Pro-Tem speaker

Pro-tem comes from the Latin phrase meaning 'for the time being' in English. Hence the pro-tem speaker is a temporary speaker appointed for a specific time or purpose.

Who is a Pro-Tem Speaker?

A pro-tem speaker is the temporary speaker presiding over the first meeting of the house after the elections or one who conducts the functioning of the house of assembly and the speaker and deputy speaker have not been appointed.

What is Pro-Tem Speaker's Role?

The pro-tem speaker helps in the conduct of the house, when it meets for the first time for a fresh term and the speaker and deputy speaker have not been appointed.

How is the Pro-Tem Speaker Appointed? 

The senior most legislator who has served the most number of terms as the legislator should be appointed as the pro-tem speaker. Balasaheb Thorat, an eight-time MLA, is expected to be the pro-tem speaker. However, Thorat is also Maharashtra Congress President and there are other names such as BJP's Kalidas Kolambkar, NCP turncoat Babanrao Pachpute and Congress' KC Padvi doing the rounds for the post.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2019 12:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).