Lok Sabha Speaker elections to take place today; NDA’s Om Birla and INDIA’s K Suresh in the fray for key Parliament post
Lok Sabha Speaker Elections: For the first time in Lok Sabha history, an election for the Speaker's post will take place on Wednesday. The BJP's ruling NDA government and the Congress-led INDIA opposition could not reach a consensus, leading to this unprecedented scenario.
Lok Sabha Speaker Elections: Candidates and Their Backgrounds
The contest features BJP's Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, and Congress' Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term parliamentarian from Mavelikara, Kerala. Suresh is the longest-serving parliamentarian in the 18th Lok Sabha. Birla previously served as the Speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha.
Voting Procedure and Schedule for Speaker's post
Both the BJP and Congress have issued three-line whips to their members, mandating their presence in the Lok Sabha from 11 am until the end of proceedings on Wednesday. The Speaker election is scheduled for 11 am on June 26. Following the election, President Murmu will address a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on June 27.
Failed Consensus and the Deputy Speaker's Post
The election follows the NDA's refusal to accept the Opposition INDIA bloc's demand for the Deputy Speaker's position in exchange for support for the NDA nominee. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, «We have said to Rajnath Singh that we will support their Speaker (candidate) but the convention is that the post of Deputy Speaker is given to the Opposition.»
Suresh, after filing his nomination, remarked, «This is the party's decision… not mine. There is a convention… that
