Watch: Be impartial, Opposition tells Om Birla in 'welcome the Speaker' speeches

Om Birla, a three-time BJP MP, was re-elected as Lok Sabha Speaker on Tuesday, defeating INDIA bloc's K Suresh in a rare voice vote.

As Birla took the Speaker's chair, PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, and Kiren Rijiju escorted him. Modi congratulated Birla, praising his "sweet smile" and expressing hope for his guidance.

Rahul Gandhi, on behalf of the INDIA alliance, emphasised Birla's role as the "final arbiter of the voice" of India's people and pledged support for a well-functioning House.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said actions like suspension of MPs hurt the dignity of the House. "We expect that no public representative's voice will be stifled, nor will action like expulsion take place again. Your control is on the Opposition, but it should be on the ruling side too," he said.