New Delhi, June 13: Sources indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to maintain its hold on the position of Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha, with a BJP Member of Parliament (MP) anticipated to be elected to the role.
Dispelling media reports suggesting that BJP’s allies had staked claim to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post, a senior party leader clarified that internal deliberations within the BJP would precede discussions with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies to ensure consensus.
In the previous terms of the Modi government, Sumitra Mahajan, representing Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and Om Birla, representing Kota, Rajasthan, both BJP MPs, served as Lok Sabha Speakers.
Despite the BJP’s reduced majority compared to previous elections, speculations regarding contenders for the Speaker’s post, including from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and a Janata Dal (United) MP, have been quashed.
It’s reported that deliberations on the selection of the new Lok Sabha Speaker will commence upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return from Italy.
Should any suggestions or demands arise from allies, the BJP is open to considering a new approach.
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, scheduled to commence on June 24, will witness BJP’s outreach to opposition parties to ensure a unanimous election of the Speaker. However, if the opposition presents a candidate, a vote for the new Speaker might occur on June 26, with the newly elected Speaker assuming office on the same day.
In a recent announcement, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju shared the schedule for the inaugural session, emphasizing the importance of various proceedings, including the election of the Speaker.
