BJP and Allies to strategise on next Lok Sabha Speaker today

The BJP and allies meet to discuss the next Lok Sabha Speaker as the party falls short of a majority. Key contenders include leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, with the decision expected on June 26th.

With the new 18th Lok Sabha to be formed shortly, discussions are taking place on the choice of the next Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The BJP and its NDA allies are planning to have a core committee meeting at the residence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi at 5 PM today to discuss the matter.

In the previous two terms, BJP had the majority, and its candidates for the Speaker post, Sumitra Mahajan and Om Birla, were elected unopposed. However, this time the BJP has only 240 seats which are 32 seats short of a majority and hence depends on allies such as Nitish Kumar’s JDU or Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP to form a government.

But there are some indications that the BJP may like to choose a chief ministerial candidate from either Andhra Pradesh or Odisha because the BJP and its allies have triumphed in both the two states. Some of the likely contenders are D Purandeshwari the BJP AP Mahila President and Bhatruhari Mahtab the former BJD leader who shifted to BJP Odisha. It could be a consensus candidate acceptable by both the BJP and the TDP since Purandeshwari is the sister-in-law of the TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. Another possible nominee is the outgoing speaker of the Lok Sabha – Om Birla.

This has been due to the BJP’s reluctance to let go of the strategic Speaker position that affords the ruling party control over the proceedings of the House while allies like TDP eye the position. The opposition is already looking for an opportunity to exploit any rift that may develop between the BJP and its allies.

At the moment, the Congress MP K. Suresh of the Kerala has been named as the Interim Pro Tem Speaker. He will administer the oath of office to the new members next week. The decision on the Speaker is expected to be made on June 26th when PM Narendra Modi will move a motion for approval by the House.

Also Read: First sitting of the 18th Lok Sabha is expected to take place on June 24

The position of the Deputy Speaker, which remained vacant since 2019 and is traditionally occupied by an opposition member, is also a hot topic and a possible source of tension between the BJP and a more consolidated opposition, which received 232 seats.