Union Minister Chirag Paswan said Wednesday the decisions taken by Kota MP Om Birla as the speaker of the last Lok Sabha have strengthened democracy. NDA nominee Birla was elected as the speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on Wednesday after a motion moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was adopted through voice votes. This will be Birla's second consecutive term in the post. Taking a jibe at the opposition for forcing an election for the crucial parliamentary position, Paswan said that in many opposition party-ruled states, the posts of both the speaker and the deputy speaker of the assembly are held by the ruling parties. Paswan, the chief of BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), also came out in the defence of Birla as several opposition leaders accused him of being partial towards treasury benches during his last tenure. "Decisions taken by the speaker in the last five years have upheld the dignity of the Constitution and strengthened democracy," Paswan said. "Elections are ove