According to the reports, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Om Birla is likely to be the next Speaker in the Lok Sabha and the opposition has accepted his candidature. Birla is a Lok Sabha MP from the Kota constituency in Rajasthan. The two-time lawmaker from Rajasthan’s Kota is considered close to party chief and home minister Amit Shah.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The 56-year-old has been associated with the BJP youth wing
- He is considered close to party chief and home minister Amit Shah
- Sumitra Mahajan, 76, was the Speaker in the last Lok Sabha
- BJP MP from Rajasthan, Om Birla, has been unanimously elected as the Speaker of Lok Sabha
- Congress, Trinamool and other opposition parties also supported Om Birla as the Speaker
- PM Modi heaped praises on Om Birla and said he has been a devoted worker
The 56-year-old has been associated with the BJP youth wing and has also been in charge of the organisational revamp in Rajasthan in 2018.
The appointment of the NDA candidate is certain in view of the overwhelming numbers of the alliance in the Lok Sabha. The BJP alone has 303 members in the 542-seat house. The NDA strength has crossed 350.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters, “The BJD, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, National People’s Party, Mizo National Front, Lok Janshakti Party, YSRCP, JDU, AIADMK, and Apna Dal have given the notice to support Birla’s candidature for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker. I have spoken to Congress leaders K Suresh and Gulab Nabi Azad. They have not signed till now but I think they would not oppose.”
Meanwhile, the party’s choice was confirmed to ANI by Amita Birla, the wife of Om Birla. She said “It is a very proud and a happy moment for us. We are very thankful to the cabinet for choosing him.”
Mr. Birla, however, was cautious. He told ANI while leaving the house of JP Nadda, who was named the party’s Working President last night, “I have no information, I had just gone to meet the Working President as a ‘karyakarta.”
The 17th Lok Sabha was convened yesterday and while the lawmakers took the oath, informal discussions started regarding the Speaker’s post. Om Birla will file his nomination around 12 noon today.
As Sumitra Mahajan, 76, who was the Speaker in the last Lok Sabha, came up against the BJP’s age bar this time and did not contest the election Om Birla will be replacing her.
Yesterday, BJP lawmaker Virendra Kumar was named the pro tem Speaker. After being sworn-in by President Ram Nath Kovind, he administered the oath to the new members. With 542 members to be sworn in, the oath ceremony is expected to continue today.
As soon as the new Speaker is appointed, Virendra Kumar’s role will cease to exist.
