NDA, INDIA Bloc Leaders Huddle Ahead Of Lok Sabha Speaker Election

The election for the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, scheduled for today at 11 am, is turning to be an interesting event. For the first time in decades, the election will not be by consensus but through a vote.

The ruling alliance, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has been mobilising its MPs and party leaders to ensure full attendance and support for their candidate - Rajasthan MP Om Birla.

Photo Credit: PTI

The Opposition, however, is contesting the government's approach and has put forward their own candidate, Kodikunnil Suresh. They are particularly concerned about the handling of the Pro Tem Speaker and the Deputy Speaker's post, with the government not considering the Opposition's claims for these positions.

The NDA's numerical advantage is clear, with 293 expected votes against the Opposition's 232. Both sides are making efforts to secure full attendance of their MPs. The Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the situation, particularly the lack of consultation regarding the Speaker post.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has called for a consensus candidate, reported NDTV.

"For the last two days, we have been in contact with main Opposition parties, talked to their floor leaders regarding the post of Speaker. Since the Independence, there has not been an election for Speaker post. We want speaker to be elected unopposed and through consensus," Rijiju said.

Congress, on the other hand, wants an immediate decision for the Deputy Speaker's post.

"We appealed to them to support the Speaker candidate but they demanded Deputy Speaker post. We said it is not right to conduct election for both Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts together. We want Speaker with consensus and then we will talk about Deputy Speaker," Rijiju said.

Rahul Gandhi slammed Centre and said that PM Modi talks of constructive Opposition but "does not want any constructive cooperation".

He further added that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was tasked to build consensus on the Speaker post, did not even call Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. This is "an insult to our leader", he said.