Tensions escalated in the Lok Sabha as the INDIA bloc, led by Congress, nominated K Suresh as their candidate for the Speaker’s position, challenging the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) choice of Om Birla. The move follows accusations from the opposition that the NDA has broken with tradition by not offering the Deputy Speaker’s post to the opposition.
On Tuesday, Congress leader K.C. Venugopal and DMK’s T.R. Baalu walked out of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s office after failing to secure a commitment from the BJP regarding the Deputy Speaker’s position. Venugopal voiced frustration, stating that the BJP refused to assure the opposition of the Deputy Speaker’s role.
Efforts by Union ministers Amit Shah, J.P. Nadda, and Rajnath Singh to persuade opposition leaders to support Om Birla proved unsuccessful. The opposition leaders remained adamant about their demand for the Deputy Speaker’s post, which they claim is a convention upheld in the past.
In response, Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Lalan Singh accused the Congress of imposing conditions, noting that discussions could be entertained during the Deputy Speaker’s election. Meanwhile, sources revealed that over ten sets of nominations have been submitted in support of Om Birla’s candidacy, including endorsements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and J.P. Nadda, as well as various BJP allies such as TDP, JD(U), JD(S), and LJP (R).
Contrarily, three sets of nominations were filed in support of K Suresh, a veteran Dalit leader and eight-term Member of Parliament, reflecting the opposition’s determined stance against the NDA’s stance on parliamentary conventions.
The nomination process for the Speaker’s election and the ongoing standoff over the Deputy Speaker’s position underscore the current political tensions within the Lok Sabha. As both sides prepare for the upcoming election, the outcome could significantly impact parliamentary dynamics and governance in the coming sessions.
