Govt, oppn contest for Speaker post, first time in decades

The BJP’s ruling coalition and the Congress’ INDIA opposition bloc will go head-to-head today in a battle for the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post—arguably one of the most important in a parliamentary democracy and to be held for the first time in decades—after the two failed to agree on a division of seats.

The Speaker and his/her deputy—the posts fueling disagreements between the two political giants—are usually elected by consensus, a lack of which in this instance underlines the fractious BJP-Congress ties.

The election, scheduled for 11am today, will see the BJP’s Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota in Rajasthan, up against the Congress’ Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term parliamentarian from Kerala’s Mavelikara. Mr Suresh is the longest-serving parliamentarian in the 18th Lok Sabha.

Mr Birla is likely to win given the BJP-led alliance’s majority; the Lok Sabha Speaker is elected by a simple majority of MPs voting, and the ruling coalition can call on 293 votes to the INDIA bloc’s 232.

After filing his papers, Mr Suresh told the press, “This is the party’s decision, not mine. There is a convention that the Deputy Speaker will be from the opposition. But they (the BJP) are not ready to do this. We were waiting till 11:50am, but there was no response. So we filed the nomination.” Union Minister Piyush Goyal, however, countered that claim, saying there is no precedent to suggest the Deputy Speaker’s post must go to a member of an opposition party.

There was much drama on Tuesday morning—ahead of the noon deadline to file nominations—as the BJP sought the opposition’s consensus over the re-appointment of Mr Birla as the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were so tasked. Mr Singh and Mr Rijiju met INDIA bloc leaders, including the Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge, and were told consensus relied on the opposition getting the Deputy Speaker’s post.

The deputy’s chair is traditionally reserved for an opposition MP to ensure a balanced House.

The post was not filled in the second Modi government (2019-2024), but in the first (2014-2019), it was awarded to an ally of the ruling BJP—the AIADMK’s M Thambidurai held the position.

Unfortunately for the BJP, the meeting with the opposition leaders did not go as hoped; the INDIA bloc said it was ready to support Mr Birla’s candidate, providing it was given the deputy’s post. Sources said that the BJP was not forthcoming on this demand; the party reportedly wanted immediate consensus for Mr Birla and said a decision on his deputy would be taken later.

The opposition, however, refused to play ball and, as the clock ticked down to the noon deadline, whispers emerged that the Congress’ K Suresh would be offered as an alternative to Om Birla.

And so it happened; as visuals showed senior leaders from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance accompanying Mr Birla to file his papers, it was confirmed that Mr Suresh had submitted his name.

In the inevitable back-and-forth to follow, BJP sources said that efforts had been made to build consensus with an opposition that responded with “pressure politics”.

Sources said the Congress’ KC Venugopal and TR Baalu of Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK insisted on a commitment from the BJP—one to the effect the Deputy Speaker would be an opposition MP.