New Delhi, Jun 11 — The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday called on the ruling NDA constituents, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), to ensure that the Lok Sabha Speaker position is filled by a member from one of their parties. AAP asserted that such a move would benefit not only the parties themselves but also uphold the interests of the Constitution and democracy.
At a press conference, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh emphasized the crucial role the opposition INDIA bloc could play if the TDP decided to field its candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker position without BJP support. He criticized the BJP for assigning “jhunjhuna” (less important ministries) to its NDA partners while retaining all significant ministries.
“I urge parties like JD(U) and TDP to at least ensure the Speaker comes from your party. This will be in the interest of your party as well as the Constitution and democracy,” Singh stated.
He further suggested that the INDIA bloc should seriously consider the scenario of the TDP fielding its candidate for the Lok Sabha Speaker post. “If the TDP fields its candidate, the role of INDIA constituents, including the Congress, will be very crucial,” he added.
AAP, part of the INDIA bloc, contested 22 Lok Sabha seats across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Assam. It managed to secure only three seats in Punjab, losing the rest. In Delhi, AAP had contested in alliance with the Congress.
The BJP-led NDA has formed its government at the Centre for the third consecutive term, winning 293 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats, while the INDIA bloc secured 234 seats.
