NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will propose Om Birla as the new Lok Sabha Speaker during the election scheduled for 11 am today. Birla, a three-term MP from Rajasthan’s Kota, will face Congress leader Kodikunnil Suresh, the INDIA bloc’s candidate.
During the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, PM Modi will formally nominate Birla, with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh seconding the motion. Other prominent Union Ministers, including Lallan Singh, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Amit Shah, Chirag Paswan, HD Kumaraswamy, and Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, will also support Birla's nomination.
The opposition, however, has fielded Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term parliamentarian from Kerala’s Mavelikara. Supporting his candidacy are Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadauria, and NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule.
Traditionally, the selection of the Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker involves mutual agreement between the ruling party and the opposition. In this election, the BJP, with its significant majority of 297 MPs, including allies, appears to have a clear advantage. The Congress Party, the main opposition, has also issued a three-line whip to its members, requiring their presence during the proceedings.
Barring any unexpected defections or cross-voting, Om Birla is poised to secure the Speaker position.
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