In the run-up to the Lok Sabha Speaker election, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is the single largest party in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have reached out to the alliance partners for the post. Senior leaders from the BJP have dialled various allies to discuss the Speaker post with them. This also includes discussion with smaller allies in the BJP-led NDA.
Sources have told CNN-News18 that the NDA alliance partners have assured complete support to the candidate that the BJP decides to nominate for this post. “Allies have been called to seek their suggestions for the candidate for the Speaker post. However, most of the allies have not given any preference or choice of a particular person,” a source told CNN-News18.
It has been conveyed to the BJP top brass that the NDA will continue to be a cohesive unit under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that it is his decision to decide on this post that will be binding and acceptable to all the alliance partners.
The BJP top brass has also conveyed to the alliance partners that they will be keen on giving the Deputy Speaker post to one of the alliance partners. However, the opposition is also likely to stake their claim for this post as the numbers are also with them to ask for this.
Some of the allies, which also include senior Parliamentarians have also requested the BJP to come up with a candidate for the Speaker post in which consensus can be obtained. “2014 and 2019 were different when BJP had absolute majority in Lok Sabha. But this time there will be a more buoyant and aggressive opposition supported by good numbers. Therefore, the Speaker post becomes even more important,” a few alliance partners have conveyed to the government.
The special session of Parliament will get underway on June 24. Even though this session is primarily for the affirmation of oath for all the elected members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. The third day, June 26 will see the election take place for the Soeaker. At present, Om Birla has been in the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker since the past five years.
But before the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker takes place, there is going to be the post of a Protem Speaker who will preside over the House for the first three days till the Speaker is elected. The general practice for giving this post has been to make the senior most member as the Protem Speaker.
Government sources have also told News18 that leaders will reach out to all political parties, including the opposition to elect the Speaker by consensus. The numbers are comfortable as far as the NDA candidate is concerned. Union Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh, will reach out to all political parties to seek consensus.
Very recently, the newly appointed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met with the Leader Of opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
On June 26, the process to elect the Lok Sabha Speaker will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi propose the name of the NDA candidate. This motion is expected to be seconded by senior minister Rajnath Singh. Similarly, the INDI alliance candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post will also be proposed. “All our alliance partners will be proposers for the post of the Lok Sabha Speaker,” a top source told News18
If the Opposition proposes another candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post, voting is expected to take place for the post. In case there is no Opposition candidate, then by the account of hands, the Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected.
After the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26, PM Narendra Modi is expected to introduce his Council of Ministers in the Lok Sabha. The following day, which is June 27, Rajya Sabha will also resume. President Droupadi Murmu will deliver the joint address to both houses of Parliament on June 27. After this, the discussion on the Motion of Thanks will begin in both Houses of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to this Motion of Thanks in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Tuesday (July 2) and Wednesday (July 3) respectively.
July 3 is the last day for the special session of Parliament before Parliament reconvenes on July 22 again after a break. The Union Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 22.
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