NDA, INDIA bloc try to reach consensus, Opposition wants Dy Speaker post

With the new Lok Sabha set to choose a Speaker on June 26, the ruling and Opposition coalitions are trying to reach a consensus on the post of the presiding officer.

According to sources, the NDA is pitching for a consensus candidate and the Opposition parties agree but are pointing out that according to convention the Opposition should be offered the post of Deputy Speaker.

Sources in the NDA said the allies will agree to a BJP choice, but only after consultations. While the JD(U) has already announced that it will support whatever decision the BJP takes, the TDP has rooted for an NDA candidate. “But if there’s a consensus, the TDP will not insist on anyone. At the NDA meeting, we will be going with a larger consensus of the NDA on the nomination of the Speaker,” a source in the TDP said.

“We are not going to demand either the Speaker post or for Deputy Speaker. The Deputy Chairman of the Upper House is, anyway, our MP,” a senior leader of the JD(U) said.

Although many in the Opposition say the parties should “reserve” their energy to take on the government on “matters on which they can send strong messages” and “play as a check on the treasury benches”, the Congress expects the ruling party to “offer the post of Deputy Speaker” which is the convention, sources said.

After a meeting of BJP senior ministers with NDA partners Sunday, newly appointed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. However, sources said there was no discussion on the presiding officers in that meeting.

Both in 2014 and 2019, when the BJP had absolute majority in Lok Sabha, party MPs Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla were elected Speaker without any contest. In the 16th Lok Sabha, AIADMK’s M. Thambi Durai was the Deputy Speaker, but the post remained vacant in the 17th Lok Sabha.

But the names of D Purandeswari and senior MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term MP who quit the BJD and won on a BJP ticket this election, are also doing the rounds.

“There could be a surprise too. But any name the top leadership picks will be placed before the alliance partners first,” a source in the BJP said.

According to the provisional calendar, the new Lok Sabha will meet on June 24 and the new members will be sworn in on Monday and Tuesday.

The newly elected MPs will be sworn in by the pro-tem Speaker. According to 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.