Who will be the next Lok Sabha Speaker? Uncertainty looms over key post amid INDIA bloc's demands
BJP falling short of majority by 32 seats, an uncertainty persists over who the ruling (NDA) alliance’s candidate will be.
The Opposition INDIA bloc have demanded that the position goes to NDA allies including the Janata Dal (United) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). This has led to a difference in opinions within the saffron party-led coalition, as per a TOI report.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP secured 240 seats, falling short of a majority by 32 seats. However, with 16 seats won by N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP and 12 by Nitish Kumar's JD(U), these allies became crucial in forming the government at the Centre. Their support has been instrumental in paving the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term, earning them the title of kingmakers.
Who is going to be the next Lok Sabha Speaker?
The uncertainty looms over the post. However, the JD(U) has pledged support for the BJP's choice for Speaker, while the TDP has advocated for a consensus candidate among the ruling alliance partners.
TDP spokesperson Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy stated, «The NDA partners will sit together and decide who our candidate for the Speaker is going to be. Once a consensus is reached, we will field that candidate and all partners, including the TDP, will support the candidate.»
Currently, the main contenders are Daggubati Purandeswari, BJP's Andhra Pradesh president, and GM Harish Balayogi, a first-time TDP MP from Amalapuram. Both are strong candidates for the position.
Present Speaker Om Birla is also in contention for the key
