With days left for the election of the new Lok Sabha Speaker, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition’s INDIA bloc are close to reaching consensus on the crucial post in the Lower House of the Parliament. The Lok Sabha is set to elect a Speaker on June 26.
The INDIA bloc might as well not nominate a candidate for Speaker’s post in the 18th Lok Sabha, if the the Deputy Speaker’s post is allocated to the opposition, according to the sources.
Speaker elected without contest
If the INDIA blocforces an election to the post of Speaker of the Lok Sabha next week, it would be the first such instance in the history of Independent India as the presiding officer has always been chosen by a consensus.
In 16th Lok Sabha (2014) and 17th Lok Sabha (2019), when the BJP won an outright majority, party Members of Parliament (MPs) Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla were elected Speaker without any contest.
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AIADMK leader M Thambi Durai was the Deputy Speaker in 16th Lok Sabha, but the post remained vacant in the 17th Lok Sabha.
INDIA bloc wants Dy Speaker
Buoyed by its increased strength in the Lok Sabha, the opposition INDIA bloc is now aggressively demanding the post of the Deputy Speaker, which by convention is held by a member of an opposition party.
As things stand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government does not want a confrontation with the Opposition over the issue of Speaker or Deputy Speaker, according to a report in the Indian Express quoting sources. Everything will, however, depend on how the Opposition responds to government’s overtures, the report said.
BJP Dy Speaker during UPA I, II
In the two terms of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government between 2004 and 2014, the post of Deputy Speaker was offered to BJP MPs Charanjit Singh Atwal and Kariya Munda.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held from June 24 and conclude on July 3. While the first two days have been reserved for oath-taking of the newly-elected, the election for Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled on June 26.
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As for withing the NDA, the allies may agree to the BJP leader for the Speaker’s post after consultations. While Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP leaders have said the candidate must be jointly decided by NDA partners, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi has indicated that the party might as well support the candidate nominated by the BJP.
Cong MP K Suresh to be Pro-tem Speaker
As per the process, before the Parliament session begins, the President appoints a Pro-tem Speaker to administer the oath of office to the newly elected MPs. And as per the convention, the most senior MP will be appointed as pro-tem Speaker.
Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh, the most senior MP who has been elected for an eighth term, is expected to be given charge of the proceedings.
Speaker Front-Runners
While some reports suggested that Om Birla will continue to be the Lok Sabha speaker. Birla won Lok Sabha Elections 2024 as a BJP candidate from Kota, Rajasthan.
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Among the other names doing rounds for the Speaker’s post is that of Daggubati Purandeswari. Daughter of TDP founder NT Rama Rao, Purandeswari is a BJP politician from Andhra Pradesh and also the state’s party president.
Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term MP who quit the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and won the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on a BJP ticket is also among the front-runners for the top post.
(With PTI Inputs)
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Published: 18 Jun 2024, 11:14 AM IST