Who will be the new Speaker of Lok Sabha? The BJP and its allies meet to decide

New Speaker of the Lok Sabha

In an important political development, negotiations over the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives will continue today. The meeting scheduled for 5 pm will be held at Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence in Delhi, with union ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allies participating. ) ruling. This high-stakes discussion is crucial as the BJP and its allies work to nominate a suitable candidate for the position of Speaker, a key role in controlling protocol and procedure. proceedings of the House of Representatives.

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BJP’s position and the role of its allies

The BJP, despite being the largest party in the Assembly with 240 seats, falls short of a majority of 32 seats. The party therefore depends heavily on the support of its allies, especially Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) or JDU and Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), to maintain power. This dependence requires a more flexible approach to negotiations than in previous years when the BJP enjoyed an overwhelming majority after the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Potential candidates and strategic considerations

Sources indicated that the BJP is considering key leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for the role of Speaker as a gesture of gratitude to voters in these states. Among the leading candidates are D Purandeshwari, who heads the BJP’s Andhra Pradesh unit, and Bhatruhari Mahtab, a former member of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from Odisha. Both states witnessed significant victories for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recent elections.

D Purandeshwari, who is also TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu’s sister-in-law, has emerged as a potential compromise candidate between the BJP and the TDP. Her choice could placate the TDP, given her family connections and instrumental role in the party’s successes in Andhra Pradesh. Another possibility is the return of the current Chairman, Om Birla, who has been in the role since 2019.

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Tactics of the opposition

The Congress Party, in turn, appointed K Suresh from Kerala’s Mavelikara as its interim President, or Pro Tem, Speaker. K Suresh, who is the longest serving MP in this House, will swear in the new members and adjourn the House until a permanent Speaker is appointed. The Congress and other opposition parties are closely observing the developments, realizing the strategic importance of the Speaker’s role in the workings of the Lok Sabha.

The importance of the speaker’s role

The position of Speaker of the House of Representatives has considerable authority, especially in matters relating to the disqualification of MPs for defection. This power is especially significant in a coalition government, where stability can be fragile. Hence, both TDP and JDU showed interest in this post, hoping to leverage this power in potential political situations.

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Alliance motivation and rewards

The return to coalition politics after a decade of majority rule has led to complex negotiations over rewards and positions for the BJP’s allies. The allocation of ministerial berths was completed last week, to the satisfaction of most, if not all, coalition partners. However, the selection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives remains a controversial issue, as each side seeks to share power and influence.

Position of Vice President

Adding to the complications is the vacant position of Vice President, which has not been filled since 2019. Traditionally, the role is held by a member of the opposition, but this is not the case. must be a mandatory requirement. In 2014, the BJP appointed AIADMK’s M Thambidurai as its Vice President. This time, the BJP could use the position as a bargaining chip to appease its allies vying for the role of Speaker.

Opposition strategy

The opposition, which now presents a more united front with multiple parties rallying behind the Congress, is also eyeing the Vice President’s post. With 232 seats belonging to the opposition alliance, they are in a stronger position in negotiations and counterbalancing the BJP’s influence in the Lok Sabha. This has put more pressure on the BJP from a strong opposition that could shape the final decision for both the posts of President and Vice President.

Conclusion

As the meeting took place at Rajnath Singh’s residence, the political scene in India was awaiting the outcome of these important negotiations. The decision on the Lok Sabha Speaker will not only reflect the power dynamics within the ruling coalition but also set the stage for legislative proceedings in the upcoming term. With key leaders competing from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as well as strategic interests of allies such as the TDP and JDU, the selection process underscores the complex nature of coalition politics in India.

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