Parliamentary Proceedings: Speaker Election Nears
As Parliament reconvenes at 11 am today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present the motion nominating Om Birla as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will second the motion, marking the commencement of the first contested Speaker election since 1976.
Om Birla Faces Opposition's K Suresh
Birla, the ruling National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) candidate, will face off against K Suresh, the Opposition's joint candidate representing the INDIA bloc. Suresh, an eight-term MP and Dalit Congress leader, emerged as the consensus candidate following the collapse of negotiations between the NDA and INDIA.
Last-Minute U-Turn Causes Stir
Tuesday witnessed dramatic developments as the Opposition initially agreed to support Birla's candidature, only to reverse their decision at the eleventh hour. This move stemmed from the BJP's refusal to offer the Deputy Speaker's post to the Opposition, a condition they had demanded.
Efforts to Resolve Deadlock Fail
Union Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda, and Rajnath Singh, along with KC Venugopal (Congress) and TR Baalu (DMK) representing the INDIA bloc, engaged in brief discussions to resolve the impasse. However, both sides remained steadfast in their positions.
NDA's Proposals in Support of Birla
In a display of solidarity, 13 lawmakers from the NDA will present proposals endorsing Birla's candidacy in the Lok Sabha. Apart from Modi and Singh, notable proponents include BJP leaders Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nitin Gadkari, and others. Representatives from JD(U), Hindustani Awam Morcha, Shiv Sena, Janata Dal (Secular), and Apna Dal (Soneylal) will also voice their support.
Birla Poised for Victory
Despite the Opposition's challenge, Birla remains the strong favorite in the Speaker election. The NDA enjoys a 293-233 advantage over the INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha, and needs 271 votes to secure victory. Seven MPs, including five from the Opposition, will not participate in the voting process as they have yet to take oath.
Support from YSRCP, Akali Dal, and Others
The Opposition's chances have further dwindled with the backing that Birla has garnered from non-aligned parties. Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP, which has four MPs in the Lok Sabha, has pledged its support for the NDA candidate. Sources indicate that Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Azad Samaj Party's Chandrashekhar Azad, and Shillong MP Ricky Andrew J Syngkon may also vote for Birla.
TDP Directed to Vote for Birla
The NDA's unwavering support for Birla was further cemented by a three-line whip issued to all 16 members of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), mandating their presence and vote for the NDA nominee.
Trinamool Congress Expresses Discontent
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee voiced his displeasure over the Congress's decision to field Suresh without consulting his party. He described the move as unilateral, raising concerns about the lack of coordination within the opposition camp.
