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The Lok Sabha speaker election will see the BJP's Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, go up against the Congress' Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term parliamentarian from Mavelikara, Kerala. Suresh is notably the longest-serving parliamentarian in the current Lok Sabha.
The BJP’s ruling coalition and the Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc are set to face off in a rare and highly anticipated battle for the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post, scheduled for Wednesday. This contest, which holds significant weight in a parliamentary democracy, marks the first of its kind in decades after the two political giants failed to agree on a division of seats.
Typically, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha are elected by consensus, a tradition that underscores cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition. However, this consensus has broken down, highlighting the increasingly fractious relationship between the BJP and Congress.
The election, set for 11 am, will see the BJP’s Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota, Rajasthan, go up against the Congress’ Kodikunnil Suresh, an eight-term parliamentarian from Mavelikara, Kerala. Suresh is notably the longest-serving parliamentarian in the current Lok Sabha.
Given the BJP-led alliance’s substantial majority, Birla is likely to retain his position. The Lok Sabha Speaker is elected by a simple majority of voting MPs, and the ruling coalition holds 293 votes compared to the INDIA bloc’s 232. After filing his nomination papers, Suresh addressed the media, emphasizing the party’s decision to contest and pointing out the traditional expectation that the Deputy Speaker’s post should go to the opposition.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, however, refuted the claim of any convention dictating that the Deputy Speaker’s post must be held by an opposition member.
In a dramatic turn of events this morning, the BJP attempted to seek the opposition’s consensus for re-appointing Om Birla as the Lok Sabha Speaker. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were tasked with this mission, meeting with INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. They were informed that the opposition’s support hinged on being granted the Deputy Speaker’s post, traditionally reserved for an opposition MP to ensure a balanced House.
The previous Modi government (2019-2024) left the Deputy Speaker position unfilled, but in its first term (2014-2019), the role was held by an ally, AIADMK’s M Thambidurai. Despite efforts, the meeting did not yield the desired consensus for the BJP. The opposition stood firm on their demand for the Deputy Speaker’s post, leading to a last-minute decision to nominate Kodikunnil Suresh as an alternative to Birla.
Adding to the intrigue, the Trinamool Congress, ostensibly a part of the INDIA bloc, was not consulted about the unilateral nomination of Suresh. This development introduced an element of uncertainty, as Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of discussion. He revealed that the party was not contacted, labeling the nomination as a unilateral decision. Despite this, Banerjee was later seen in a private discussion with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi inside Parliament.
The relationship between the Trinamool Congress and the broader opposition coalition has always been complex. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has oscillated between offering her support to the INDIA bloc and maintaining a cautious distance. Last month, amidst the general election, she reaffirmed her commitment to the opposition alliance, even calling it her “brainchild.” However, she has also declared her intent to provide “outside support” if the opposition wins, highlighting her strategic flexibility.
As the political drama unfolds, the contest for the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post not only underscores the deepening rift between India’s two major political factions but also sets the stage for future parliamentary dynamics.
