Lok Sabha Speaker Elections: For the first time in Lok Sabha history, an election for the Speaker’s post will take place on Wednesday. The BJP’s ruling NDA government and the Congress-led INDIA opposition could not reach a consensus, leading to this unprecedented scenario.
Lok Sabha Speaker Elections: Candidates and Their Backgrounds
The contest features BJP’s Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, and Congress’ Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term parliamentarian from Mavelikara, Kerala. Suresh is the longest-serving parliamentarian in the 18th Lok Sabha. Birla previously served as the Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha.
Voting Procedure and Schedule for Speaker’s post
Both the BJP and Congress have issued three-line whips to their members, mandating their presence in the Lok Sabha from 11 am until the end of proceedings on Wednesday. The Speaker election is scheduled for 11 am on June 26. Following the election, President Murmu will address a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on June 27.
Failed Consensus and the Deputy Speaker’s Post
The election follows the NDA’s refusal to accept the Opposition INDIA bloc‘s demand for the Deputy Speaker’s position in exchange for support for the NDA nominee. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “We have said to Rajnath Singh that we will support their Speaker (candidate) but the convention is that the post of Deputy Speaker is given to the Opposition.”
Suresh, after filing his nomination, remarked, “This is the party’s decision… not mine. There is a convention… that Deputy Speaker will be from the opposition. But they (the BJP) are not ready to do this. We were waiting till 11.50 am… but there was no response. So we filed the nomination.”
Lok Sabha: Political Dynamics and Majority
The NDA holds a clear majority with 293 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha, while the opposition INDIA bloc comprises 234 MPs. The BJP’s failure to secure a majority mandate alone, with only 240 seats, has added complexity to the election dynamics.
Consensus Attempts and Opposition Strategy
Efforts by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to build consensus with opposition leaders failed. The opposition insisted on a commitment from the BJP that the Deputy Speaker would be an opposition MP, a demand the BJP was unwilling to meet.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal countered this, stating, “There is no precedent to suggest the Deputy Speaker’s post must go to a member of an opposition party.”
Trinamool Congress’s Role and Reaction
According to a news report by NDTV, the Trinamool Congress, a part of the INDIA bloc, was not consulted about Suresh’s nomination, leading to potential internal discord. Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee expressed, “We were not contacted about this… there was no discussion. Unfortunately, this is a unilateral decision.” However, visuals later showed Banerjee engaged in a private discussion with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi inside Parliament.
Historical Context and Current Session of Lok Sabha
This is the first Lok Sabha session post-general elections, which began on June 24 and will conclude on July 3. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats, while the INDIA bloc obtained 234 seats. The BJP’s struggle to form its third successive government without support from allies like Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JDU highlights the complex political landscape.
Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu criticized the opposition for placing conditions, stating, “Democracy does not work on conditions… NDA did what it could to build consensus for the Speaker’s post. When it was their turn (the opposition’s) to help… they put up a condition. This was never a convention to support Speaker… They want to do politics in this too.”
Earlier, while the INDIA bloc was awaiting the BJP’s response, Rahul Gandhi referred to reports quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling on the opposition to work “constructively” with his government. Gandhi said, “Today newspapers reported that PM Modi said the opposition should cooperate constructively. Rajnath Singh called Mallikarjun Kharge and asked him to extend support… entire opposition said we will support but convention is Deputy Speaker should be from our side. Rajnath Singh said he would call back… but he has not yet… PM is asking for cooperation but our leader is getting insulted…”
The stage is set for a significant political contest as the Lok Sabha Speaker election approaches. The outcome will not only determine the Speaker but also set the tone for future interactions between the ruling coalition and the opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha.
(With inputs from agencies)