Om Birla and Kodikunnil Suresh Submit Nominations in Landmark Lok Sabha Speaker Election
Desk Report, June 25, 2024: In a historic development, the Lok Sabha is poised to witness its first-ever election for the Speaker’s post, following failed negotiations between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition’s INDIA bloc. BJP MP Om Birla and Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh have both submitted their nominations for this pivotal role.
Initially, the Opposition had signaled its intent to support the government-backed candidate, Om Birla, contingent upon securing the deputy Speaker’s position for a member of the INDIA bloc. However, talks broke down over this crucial demand, prompting the Opposition to field its own candidate in the eleventh hour.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh made concerted efforts to rally support from the Opposition earlier today. Despite these efforts, the negotiations faltered when Congress leaders KC Venugopal and DMK’s TR Baalu exited Singh’s office, citing the government’s unwillingness to commit to their demand regarding the deputy Speaker’s post.
Addressing the media, KC Venugopal clarified, “The government’s failure to concede to our demand for the deputy Speaker’s post has led us to field our own candidate.” Kodikunnil Suresh, a veteran parliamentarian from Kerala and the Opposition’s nominee, emerged as a formidable contender, having secured his eighth consecutive Lok Sabha term earlier this month.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi echoed the sentiments of the Opposition, emphasizing their willingness to support the NDA’s candidate for Speaker provided their convention of granting the deputy Speaker’s post to the Opposition was upheld. “We have conveyed our stance clearly to the Prime Minister that cooperation hinges on mutual respect for parliamentary traditions,” Gandhi underscored.
With Om Birla and Kodikunnil Suresh set to contest for the prestigious role of Lok Sabha Speaker, the ensuing election underscores a critical juncture in Indian parliamentary history, highlighting the delicate balance of power and negotiation between the ruling alliance and the opposition bloc.
Also read: Guwahati Police Arrest Two for Possession of FICN and Counterfeit Gold
