Negotiations over the post of Lok Sabha Speaker, a highly coveted position that allows the party in power to control House protocol and proceedings, are set to resume at 5 pm on Tuesday. This meeting, involving Union ministers and the ruling BJP’s allies, will take place at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence in Delhi, the NDTV reported.
Historically, the BJP, with its substantial majorities following the 2014 and 2019 elections, was able to nominate Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla unchallenged for the Speaker’s post.
However, the current scenario is different as the BJP, despite being the single-largest party in Parliament with 240 seats, falls 32 seats short of a majority. This shortfall necessitates reliance on Nitish Kumar’s JDU and Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP to sustain its power.
The election of the Lok Sabha Speaker requires a simple majority of MPs voting. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed interest in the position, and there are indications that Nitish Kumar might share this interest.
Sources suggest that while the BJP recognises the need for more flexibility this time, it remains reluctant to relinquish the chair. The interest from TDP and potentially JDU is tied to the Speaker’s significant power in disqualification cases on grounds of defection, a crucial advantage in maintaining political stability.
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BJP appears inclined to nominate key leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, such as D Purandeshwari and Bhatruhari Mahtab, as a gesture of appreciation to the state units following the NDA’s sweeping victory in these states. Purandeshwari, a prominent figure in Andhra Pradesh’s BJP unit and Naidu’s sister-in-law, could serve as a compromise candidate acceptable to both BJP and TDP. Om Birla is also a potential candidate for re-nomination.
The JDU has recently declared its support for the BJP’s nominee for Speaker. In the interim, Congress’s K Suresh from Kerala’s Mavelikara has been appointed as the Pro Tem Speaker.
Suresh, the longest-serving MP in this House, will administer the oath to new members and adjourn the House until the 18th Speaker is appointed or elected.
A final decision on the Speaker’s nomination is expected on June 26, when Prime Minister Modi will introduce a motion supported by a fellow MP and accompanied by a letter confirming the nominee’s commitment to serve.
The return of coalition politics after a decade of majority government has revived intense discussions about rewards for BJP allies, especially JDU and TDP. The allocation of ministerial berths was completed last week, satisfying most allies, and the Modi 3.0 cabinet has taken oath.
As the focus shifts to the Speaker’s nomination, the opposition is exerting pressure on TDP to claim the post, aiming to create divisions within the NDA government. BJP’s dependence on TDP’s 16 and JDU’s 12 MPs is critical for maintaining power, as losing these allies would leave Modi seven seats short of the 272-majority mark.
Additionally, a potential conflict looms over the Deputy Speaker’s post, vacant since 2019. Traditionally held by the opposition, the BJP might consider offering this position to an ally like TDP as compensation for not securing the Speaker’s post. The opposition, however, is eager to claim this role to balance the BJP’s influence, especially given the stronger opposition presence now, with multiple parties united behind Congress winning 232 seats.
